TOPIC: [R1] D&D Out of the Abyss

Change of plan, turns out I will be at club this week.

Out of the Abyss, Session 5

Risen from the depths of the Dark Lake, Demogorgan rampages through the streets of Sloopadoop, twin heads roaring in primordial fury. Whilst fleeing across rooftops, Greyscale is sent flying by one of the demon lord's flailing tentacles. The terrified kobold cartwheels though the air, smashing through the stained glass window of the Deep Father's sanctum. He crash lands amidst the rest of the party. With Bliblidoop slain, the remaining zealots are convulsing in rapture at the physical manifestation of their abyssal deity. Several fishmen undergo a gory transfomation into demonic emissaries of the Deep Father. Morloc slaps Gil upside his scaly chops to break his reverie, sparing him a similar fate. We cut a path through the mutant fishmen to escape the sanctum, pausing only to plunder the collection plate of silver, gold, precious gems and a Choker of Spider Climb.

The streets are awash with dark water, and a nearby building collapses as Demogorgon runs amok. Erasmus struggles to wade through the rising floodwaters, until Prince Derendil lifts the sodden gnome up onto his broad shaggy shoulders. A mob of fish men block the street ahead, wailing in fear and/or adulation as the demon lord bears down on them. We traverse the rooftops to avoid being trampled underfoot. Armed zealots attempt to stop us escaping, Morloc cuts them down and we flee the doomed city.

We head inland (or away-lake), joined by a small band of Kuo Toa refugees. We encounter another adventuring party coming the other way; a human, an elf and a halfling. We don't ask their names, we have enough NPCs to keep track of already. These adventurers braved the Underdark seeking treasure, but so far have found only darkness and death. A pack of gnolls attacked their camp during a long rest and killed the other members of their merry band. One of their dead companions was carrying the map to a lost tomb, the rumoured resting place of a magical sword. We offer to help avenge their allies and recover the map.



Greyscale attunes to the Choker of Spider Climb and scouts the gnoll position. Four brutish beastmen gnaw on the bones of the dead adventurers, oblivious to the kobold rogue clinging to the roof of the cave. Greyscale drops a flash crystal. The gnolls are blinded, and the rest of the party attack with great advantage! Elin casts Bane to pretty much guarantee the gnolls fail their saves to regain sight. We make short work of the gnolls, who make things even easier by blindly attacking each other.

While the adventurers weep for their friends, we steal the treasure map for ourselves.

Morloc: "May I see the map?"

Suspicious Elf: "Oh ho ho ho, see with your eyes, not with your hands."

Morloc: "Please, we are all amigos here."

Dumb Halfling: "Mr Elf, I'm sure we can trust this band of murder hobos."

[hands over the map]

Suspicious Elf: "Now give it back."

Morloc: "Give what back?"

The adventurers want to gather the remains of their companions and return to the surface, but all that's left of their friends has already been through both ends of a gnoll. Greyscale scoops up a bag of shit and somberly hands it over. He also finds a Ring of Phantasmal Flatulence amidst the filth (cast Prestidigitation cantrip to create sound or smell of farts). He immediately uses it on the elf. The halfling gags.

Once the adventurers leave, we consult the map. The hidden tomb is located near the Silk Path, a massive cavern criss-crossed by bridges spun from spider webs. Greyscale develops a nervous twitch. Spiders. Why did it have to be spiders?

TBC