Assault on Citadel Cavitus

This session's entry is done by Lirath Mindlasher

Out Of The Mansion and Into The Fog
6,000 XP

Leaving the magnificent mansion, we abandoned the useless wizard, but we took the Idiot Warrior, while the priest ran away. Along the way Lirath figured out he was somehow vampiric by biting the Idiot Warrior, after attacking Katya against his will.

We traveled on foot with a rope we held onto (like kindergarten children) while Rook kept ahead in the skies.

Rook spotted a giant beast with smaller things breaking off of it. Soon to find out it was a Grave Titan that dropped zombies.

They almost encountered our line, multiple tunes, but Rook and Lirath stopped them by either a telekinetic barrier or an illusion of a hole in the ground.

DM's Note:

(DM Note: This was going to be an awesome fight. A gargantuan creature which drops zombie-like creatures off of it like ticks falling off a dog! But no.

Citadel Cavitus
5,500 XP

Making it past, we came upon the Citadel. Rook scouted using his magic and thought of using Meteor Swarm on the groups to take them out quicker, but he didn’t. Instead we slipped through the wall, via Rook’s magic, and he created a fog cloud. Lirath put a zombie-goblin, a zoblin, into a giant brazier and watched it burn.

Zoblins started towards us because of this, but Rook and Lirath disposed of them quickly by use of more telekinesis and Rook’s spell of oil grease. Unfortunately this attracted death-shadow wolves and a Minotaur skeleton, and more zoblins.

We fought them, Lirath used his magic to throw one of the shadow-wolves attackig Katya on her wall perch up into the air, killing the Minotaur but the wolf survived by teleporting away. Katya abandoned the wall she was on and with the Idiot Warrior charged ahead, facing off against zoblins and being ambushed by more shadow-wolves. She almost fell but retreated back to the shadows. The Idiot Warrior did not survive, he was easily taken down. The Minotaur attempted to charge Rook, Smallfang, Barb, and Hope. Only to have the wizard use his boon granted by his goddess, the Raven Queen, and repelled the Beast, saving his companions from harm. Using his powers, Lirath picked up the Minotaur skeleton and tossed him into the air, Rook creating an illusion of a spike beneath him, turning it real as he fell upon it, impaling it.

Finishing them off quickly, Lirath mind controlling the wolf to eviscerate the remaining zoblins. Forcing it to stay still as Rook melted it with his hand.

Killing off the Minotaur and his minions, Barb though of using his dwarven black smithing skills to turn the Minotaurs giant axe into his own weapon, quickly being dismissed by both Smallfang and Rook, neither of them keen on putting up with the dwarves barbarians strange ideas. Both Lirath and Hope investigated a room and found a chest and pouches of gold, which they shared. Katya did the same in another room, the second of the three and gained pouches of riches, both gold and gems. Lirath left Hope and searched the last room, Hope quickly dismissing the broom closet, but Lirath found a hidden door which he gained a few more items from.

Katya finds a statue of a cute griffon perched upon the shoulder of a now dead zoblin. As she turns it over in her hands she sees a riddle engraved upon the bottom of the statue. Smallfang hears of a riddle and rushes over to take the statue out of Katya's hands. He then proceeds to stare at it for the next hour, without any success.

Out of the corner of his eye, Lirath spotted a woman who was missing a portion of her face, the Priestess of Vecna from the a previous encounter to which they scattered her across the Astral Plane. She ushered another down a flight of stairs, Lirath telepathically informing his companions. Now ready to chase down what Lirath assumed to be Vecna himself.

The Demiplane Of Dread

The group gathers at the mouth of the cave. Giant teeth-like structures span the height of the opening, each bone white bar sharp enough to cut through bone. Outside is a stark landscape which is completely obscured beneath a blanket of thick white fog, lies below several feet below. In the far distance, a vast rocky outcrop can be seen rising out of the mist. It vaguely resembles a humanoid skull.

Rook conjures the illusion of a wide red carpet which he rolls down the slope of the cave towards the razor sharp teeth at the bottom, so as to avoid slipping down and falling into the blade-like teeth. The carpet rolls and the left over roll of carpet embeds itself into the teeth below. Now protected from a dismembering death, Rook slides carefully down to the others.

Lirath enters his ethereal form and moves through the caves teeth and begins to descend down into the mist. It takes Lirath about 100 feet before he reaches the ground and finds the fog to cover the ground to a thickness of about 20 feet. Within the fog he can barely see a mere 10 feet in front of him. He ascends back up into the cave's mouth to tell the others.

The group moves through the cave, which has formed from the mouth of a massive, ancient fallen demon. They find that perhaps the "mouth" may still be able to open further, with a little assistance. Rook conjures the illusion of a jack, a metal device with a long toothed support which he lifts towards the ceiling of the cave using a long wooden handle. As he forces the illusion into reality, the cave's mouth begins to open further. The teeth beginning to separate, forming a gap between. But the illusion dissipates before the gap can become large enough to allow for the group to leave unharmed.

They all decide to rest. It has been a harrowing journey thus far. Katya already is curled up in a corner sleeping soundly.

Remembering Smiles

 When they wake they discuss the different possibilities that they may take. Someone brings up Katya's friend, Kenavu as well as their pet dragon, Smiles. Rook realizes his illusory cover over the ship they had hidden beside the hills formed by the ancient fallen demon has perhaps dissipated. Depending on how time works between the various planes they might have traveled, perhaps it has dissipated long ago.

There is a  mournful silence from both Katya and Smallfang.
Rook shrugs. Another soul for the Raven Queen. He conjures his mechanical jack once again and tries to lift the mouth open. Only having one minute to force his will upon the illusion to force it into reality, Rook finds he is not able to lift the mouth fast enough before his time runs out. Smallfang pulls Rook away from the device and starts to force the jack faster in order for them to finally escape.

When the illusory jack fades the mouth has opened enough that they can pass by the teeth unharmed.

Hope casts fly upon those in the group who cannot fly and they fly down towards the ground. They approach but do not enter the fog below them, wary of the dread they feel. They continuing flying towards the skull-like mountain in the far distance. Hope casts fly a couple more time before they realize that it will take them considerable time to fly there and she does not wish to deplete her spell casting ability, potentially leaving her helpless

Into The Mist

They descend slowly into the fog. Katya, Hope and Smallfang descend disappearing into the mist while Rook and Lirath continue to fly onwards, not immediately realizing their friends have ceased their flying. They soon realize it and circle back.

Meanwhile, within the mist, the others huddle close as they cannot see more than just a few feet. Both Hope and Katya stare helplessly into the fog and feel an overwhelming sense of dread and fear. As Smallfang tells them that they should get moving, both Hope and Katya fail to move or even respond. With a sigh, Smallfang gathers them, one under each arm, and carries them along.

A Dreadful Warning
60,000 XP

It is not long before Rook and Lirath return and, with some difficulty, find their companions and land beside them. They travel by foot for some distance until they see a faint outline of a creature ahead of them. As they approach, the figure slowly resolves itself into the form of a hooded humanoid. It raises a thin and bony hand and points at them, telling them to, "Return whence you came. The living do not belong in this land."

They try to approach and speak to the creature but it simply repeats it's demand. Finally when the group takes a threatening posture, the creature pulls forth a scythe and attacks. It is then that the group finally notices that there indeed, 3 more of these creatures surrounding them. Finally, Hope and Katya are roused back to their normal selves and the group defends itself. Black tendrils of mist rise from the ground and grasp at the adventurers.

The fight goes poorly for Lirath as he is felled and revived by Smallfang.
Rook conjures an illusory slide which extends a mile away. Hopefully enough to evade these creatures. He raises the land under the group's feet to the top of the bridge/slide. But standing atop blocking their way is one of the hooded creatures. Much to Rook's surprise, the creature dispels Rook's illusory bridge.

The group finds itself once again, submerged within the mist.

They continue to battle until finally each of the creatures is dispatched, as they turn to black ashes which dissipate quickly into the mist.

A Rest Interrupted
5,000 XP

The group is wary to travel within such a dangerous mist. So Rook conjures refuge in the form of mordenkainen's magnificent mansion. The group rests, eats and entertain themselves, feeling safe within their magical shelter.

Their peaceful rest is interrupted by shouts of panic from outside the walls. There are three people who have found their mansion and are pleading for sanctuary. Outside they find a young man, a tall beefy man, who holds a third elderly unconscious man under his arm.

Rook exits the mansion and toys with them. They plead with him to allow them into the safety of the mansion. They are exhausted. They are trying to comply with the demands of some mysterious hooded creatures, but they cant leave. They have tried everything but they cannot seem to travel home. They cannot run any longer.

Lirath exits the mansion and approaches them. He probes the mind of the younger man and looks back into his immediate memories.

Flashes of memory play for Lirath forming the poor man's story.

The three men sitting in a tavern, while the elderly bearded man tells them a plan that will make them rich beyond belief.
He has acquired a magical tome which they can use to travel anywhere. They pop in somewhere, find and steal what goods they can, and pop back. Fool proof. They need Jahner as muscle to carry as much as they can. Rini, the cleric, is there because Jahner will only listen to Rini. 
The plan has worked several times. That is until they travel to this plane.
They see nothing but mist. No treasure. Only threats from some mysterious hooded creatures. 
They run.
But they always run into another of the creatures.
They cannot run anymore, as Grandar, the great mage, passes out from the exertion.
Then they run into a column of earth, atop which sits this great mansion

Rook, moves to the old man and rummages through his belongings. He finds a magical tome, takes it and retires into the mansion. As he turns the pages he finds it only contains one spell, plane shift. Hmmm....useless. He tears out the page and tears it  half.

Outside Lirath forces his mind into the three newcomers and bonds them to protect him beyond all else. With that done, he lets them enter the mansion. 

Alquam, Demon Lord Of Night

As they group awakens in the ancient temple made inside the corpse of an ancient demon, they find Rook creating a simulacrum. As the creation takes form they watch it begin to resemble Hope, their tiefling bard. Soon Hope stands face to face with her likeness. The only way to tell them apart is the fact that the simulacrum stands naked in front of the extravagantly dressed bard.

Hope vs Hope

The group rummages through their belongings and soon enough the new Hope is equipped with its own clothing and weapons.

As the group moves through the intestinal tunnels the air becomes acrid and foul. A green fog grows thicker and deeper around the adventurer's ankles. As they walk they notice a growing darkness. Most of the group's darkvision penetrates the dark less and less. They cast light but find that it's usual strong glow is being hampered. Katya lights a torch but the light from the torch barely extends beyond her reach. Something foul is afoot.

Soon they enter a vast chamber which they can only imagine its size by the sounds of their echoing voices and the sound of liquid lapping at the shore which exists below them. They stare off into the vast darkness. They see only the precipice they stand on and the greenish liquid and fog which lies about 20 feet below. Lirath casts dancing lights which he sends out over the sea of green foul waters. They see various objects floating half rotted bobbing in the mostly still waters and green fog.

Alquam, Demon Lord Of Night
35,000 XP

There is a deep and sinister laughter from somewhere in the chamber. They shout out demanding who is out there. Suddenly, there is a magical darkness cast around Hope, Rook and Hope2. There is the sound of flapping wings and Hope is attacked and grabbed and taken into the air. The group watches as she is taken out of sight.

Hope casts dimension door in hopes that she can escape the grasp of whatever creature has taken her. As she manipulates the weave, she feels it slip from her usual confident fingers but she is able to compensate and soon she is standing back with the group. They all stand with weapons and spells ready.

Their adversary repeatedly swoops out of the darkness to claw, bite and try to grasp them. Soon Lirath is grasped and taken out over the foul waters. He is able to escape but drops into the waters. The green waters begin to burn into Lirath's flesh and clothing. He is able to clamber atop some floating debris and then steps into ethereal form and strides above the waters back towards the group.

Lirath communicates to the others what he has learned of the creature. Using this Rook discern's what he thinks the creature is. It is Alquam, Demon Lord Of Night. The demon lord had long ago disappeared from his usual layer of the Abyss, abandoning it to the chaos such a power vacuum creates. No word or knowledge of the demon lord has ever surfaced since. They have found its whereabouts.

It continues its repeated attacks out of the darkness and continually casts darkness at various members of the group. The demon lord is able to shrug off spells and the ground around the adventurers begins to open with tentacles grasping at them. At one point after an attack, Rook watched Alquam retreat once again. Knowing it would return again to devastating effect, Rook casts Tasha's Hideous Laughter and the demon lord howls in laughter at the puny mortals. It's laughter causes it to crash into the shores near the opposite side.

Smallfang and Katya are quick enough to round on the fallen creature and being to attack it. When Lirath arrives he is able to psychically push the creature deep into the acidic waters. Rook manipulates his mirage arcane to cover the acid lake with a deep layer of smooth stone, then wills it to become real. They breath a sigh of relief.

But the reprieve is not for long as the demon lord materializes again above them.

Smallfang rushes to attack but not before Hope2 is destroyed. Her life was short and filled with pain and terror. Smallfang attacks the unholy creature and soon it lies dead at his feet.

As the group tends to their wounded, Rook manipulates his mirage arcane once more and creates shelter. Smallfang was very brave and effective, he thinks.

He begins to create a new simulacrum. He shall name it Smallfang2.

The Demon's Throat
40,000 XP

The next morning the group carries on. The eventually come to a large long chamber. Vast wide stairs lead down. At the bottom is a tower. The tower is made of the same tissue-like material that they have been walking through the past few days. It is ringed with bony structures which ring the tower which reaches the ceiling, some 100 feet above them. The only feature of note is a shimmering doorway at the base. A silvery watery material shimmers in the doorway. Nothing can be seen through it.

Hope bravely approaches and touches the surface. She instantly finds herself inside the tower which is filled with clear water. She tries not to panic and hold her breath.

The others simply see Hope vanish and they stand hesitant to follow Hope to her death. Rook uses his x-ray vision to try and see into the tower. But on the other side of the flesh wall there is simply a vast nothingness. Smallfang's attempt to cut into the tower yields the same result as he had found before. Under a thin layer of a tissue-like substance there is a material which seems impervious to his sword.

Inside the tower, Hope look all around looking for  a way out. The water goes up for what seems hundreds of feet and all around the circumference of the tower are white long sharp bony rings which circle all the way up. At the bottom of the tower is a round stopper like structure made of metal. Hope swims down to it and tries to pull it out. It doesn't budge. So Hope tries to twist is out. The circular device rotates easily and clicks as Hope twists it.

Smallfang decides to not leave a member of their group alone to face danger. He touches the shimmering door. He appears inside the tower floating slightly above Hope as he watches her twist the metal cylinder.

The Death Of Hope

The water all around them begins to move swirling around the tower. Soon they are both caught up in the current and tossed around the sides of the tower. The bony ring structures cut deeply into them. There is a scraping sound as Smallfang's armor is cut open. The water fills with swirling blood clouding their vision. Smallfang swims as fast as he can towards the top.

Soon Smallfang bursts through the surface of the water into air. Smallfang gasps as he gulps lungfulls of air. The body of Hope floats slowly up beside him, her lifeless body face down in the water. Smallfang revives her and once she is safe he climbs out and explores the tunnel which branches off and down. The water sluicing over the edge and falling down creating the sound of a loud waterfall.

After the waters calm themselves, the rest of the group arrives at the top of the tower breaking the surface of the water.

Lirath and Smallfang scout ahead. Carefully treading down the tunnel, avoiding the treacherously slippery slope and finding rows upon rows of razor sharp teeth at the bottom of the slope. At the mouth of the tunnel they look down into a land covered with a white fog.

In the distance a large grey structure rises out of the fog. A large skull-like rocky structure. Judging by it's distance it must be larger than most castles.

They have arrived.  Ahead of them Citadel Cavitus. Vecna's home.