In a special performance , Dyskko added a new installment to his ongoing saga of the Dungeon Divas.  Known for what he calls “‘special effects,” his story-telling incorporates bardic magic to make you feel you are part of the story.

In true Dyskko style, audience members felt the heat of Moltenwing the Dragon.  They cried along with Buzz, as he wondered what to do after the death of his mentor, Indira.  The audience cheered when the Divas freed the Shackled Ones from the Great Tree.

Dyskko says this was a final ending to the Divas saga. “I’m ready for something new now.”  Even though his tales have always been fantastical, they have still been grounded in reality.  “I’ve always wondered what it would be like to travel amongst the stars.  I’ve also wondered what if there were no magic? Yes, I think I’ll turn my tales toward some of these ideas.”

Character Epilogues

After killing the beholder Orbius who had posed as Oskar Vhalantru for the last 15 years, the Divas were at a crossroads.  Are there enough people left in the Org Chart of Evil to fulfill their plans?  Do we stop here, or do we pursue them further?  Or do we need to get back to helping the evacuees from Cauldron rebuild?

The Divas made a final attempt to visit the Fiery Sanctum.  There, they discovered that Rmongor had killed all the Shackled Ones in the Tree and no more energy was being channeled.  Looking at the Org Chart of Evil, they realized all the people left to kill were people they hadn’t met.  Where would they be? The Divas spent time at the Church of Pelor reviewing their notes, organizing their supplies and inventorying their loot.  After a long day of discussion, the decision was clear: Use the loot to invest in the City of Cauldron, help the people rebuild, and stay wary for the Cagewrights should they start on the next phase of their plan.

Myntilly – Hoping to spark some renewed energy into the local economy, Myntilly purchased an abandoned building in the NW Business District of Cauldron.  She refitted the ground floor with her own Tatoo Parlor, and moved into the second floor apartment.  Inspired by her leadership, many young adventurers come to discuss their dreams and plans and ask Myntilly for her wisdom while she inks.  Even Cora Lanthanmire has been spotted getting a tatoo.

Sadi – Was last seen heading out of town.  Her plans are to travel to Sasserine, then spend some quiet time traveling along the coast.  “I hope to purchase a small boat and spend some quiet time in peaceful reflection.”  The year has been hard on Sadi, dying not once, but twice, and reincarnated twice.  It puts a touch of darkness on you.  Then spending so much time either underground or in a big city has been difficult.  “I come from a long line of gypsies.  I need to spend some time roaming.”

Ian and Brus – Returned to Kingfisher Hollow.  This city grew a bit following the evacuation of Cauldron.  Many people moved there, thinking it would be temporary, but fell in love with the Amedio forest on the border.  “Now that the town is a bit bigger, there’s a lot I can do here.  There’s a lot of new construction that I can help with, and we can start a second druid hall on the other end of the town.”  There is still some strange sounds coming from the forest, and rumors of undead, but Ian feels up to the challenge.

Acgar – Has become a new prominent figure in the Cauldron Town Guard.  Acgar has become Lead Trainer for the Magical Threats Agency.  “Quinlan had a good idea with this organization, but they need better discipline if they’re going to respond to threats.  That, and they need some strong analysis tools to investigate evidence left behind.”  Acgar is developing a new field called “forensics.”  It also helps the new recruits pay attention when she mentions that she keeps a killer frog in a box.

Indira – It’s taken some time for her his fellow clerics to get used to the new dwarf body, but Indira continues to work to spread the good word of Pelor.  Kristoff remains as head cleric of the Church, and continuing to lead the young headstrong Indira will be a continuing challenge.  Thankfully, Indira has the goblins and Buzz to keep her busy.

Buzz – Speaking of Buzz, he is working to bridge new ties between the differing churches of Cauldron.  The new head cleric at the Temple of Wee Jas, is rebuilding temple after the construction accident last solstice.  Buzz is working to negotiate a construction plan that will be a tribute to Wee Jas without blocking the Church of Pelor from the rising sun.  He is also working toward more unity between all the worshipping halls (to St. Cuthbert, Kord, Wee Jas, Fharlaghn, Pelor) in preparation for this winter’s Flood Festival.  “Last winter there was rivalry between the worshippers and Cauldron really suffered.  This winter will be different.”  Ah Buzz, remember when we first met him?

Elvis Krylscar- For his leadership and commitment to the City of Cauldron, Elvis was awarded a Key to the City. (Standing next to him are at left, Severen Navalant, Mayor, newly returned to the city and at right Quinlan Ghelve, Captain of the Town Guard).  He continues to grow in his leadership role on the City Council.  Sounds like he’ll run for Mayor again.

Beholder in action

There’s this thing you gotta know about beholders. They have this middle eye, the big one, and it sends out an anti-magic ray, like all the time. Sure they blink, or in theory, they blink, but I don’t think I’ve seen it happen. Not that I’d ever seen a beholder in person before today. But man, do I hear about them. Like at least once a week someone’s gotta talk about how their friend was turned to stone by a beholder. Snore. I mean it’s an exciting story, once. After a couple dozen recitations, well, it loses something.

So here was a real life beholder. I was hanging towards the back. Old Buzz here likes life a little too much to be out there mixing it up with a monster. That doesn’t mean there’s not stuff I can do. I am a cleric, yeah?

Brus snuggles

So I came up beside Sadi, laid my hand on her quiver of arrows and blessed ‘em. Knowing her, she’ll aim for the eyes and maybe I can give her a bit more “umph” with my spell.

As I’m finishing my spell, I hear this soothing voice talking. “Hello, little bear. Come here. I won’t hurt you….. That’s right. Good little bear…. Stay.”

Yeah. Creepy. That’s the thing about beholders. They are truly evil. Like why not just eat Brus? No, instead let’s make Ian real nervous and worried about his companion. That is so messed up.

All those nights around the campfire, Acgar would talk about the spells that a beholder possesses. Each of those eye stalks has a spell. And you can’t keep an eye on all of them. They wiggle around and suddenly — it’s looking right at you. Are you gonna explode or pee your pants? Or go give it a hug, like good old Brus there.

Some species are different, but Acgar says that the garden variety beholder usually packs these spells: destruction, flesh to stone,  sleep, slow, charm animals, charm humans, finger of death, fear, levitate, and inflict serious wounds. Wow. That’s a lot of hurt wiggling around waiting to go off.

Sadi hits

And don’t forget the big eye, with the anti-magic doo-dad. When he’s looking at you, your magic’s no good. I know Indira’s got a little summon monster spell up her sleeve, but how’s she gonna cast it with him looking at her?

And then, while I’m thinking this, Sadi goes and SMACK! She lands an arrow right in that middle eye. You can’t tell, but that anti-magic stuff? Done. Finished. Adios.

I heard Indira give a small cheer and then she moved into the room to take on the beholder.

….. to be continued.

Into the cars

Everyone agreed that Ian had a great idea. We piled into the cars. By chance Ian and I ended up together. “There’s no room for Brus.”
“Sure there is. He’s not that big, Indira.”
“Look, Durilin and Myntilly barely fit just the two of them. He won’t fit. He can walk along side.” Brus’ nose sniffed along the edges of the car and he thumped down and stretched his forelegs. “See? He agrees. No room.” I tried to find a clean spot to sit down. The cars had obviously been used to haul rock and ore and they were uniformly filthy.

Sadi called back. “Ready? I’m going to release my brake, but these things can really haul butt, so keep some pressure on the brake, OK?” We began to move. Slowly at first and picking up enough speed that Brus had to lope beside us.

Myntilly turned around and flashed her dimples at us. “This is traveling in style! I kinda like –” At that moment something dark and large landed on her head.

Darkmantle attack

It was large enough that it settled over both Myntilly and Durilin. At their startled cries, Sadi slammed on her handbrake. Durilin was too busy with the attack to pay attention to her brake, so their car thumped into Sadi’s car and Acgar was thrown into Sadi’s arms.

Ian was too astonished to think about the brake, so our car stopped only when it had hit Durilin’s car hard enough to jar my teeth and knock Durilin into Myntilly.

Sadi

With her usual grace and speed, Sadi was out of her car and running to help Myntilly and Durilin. I was still trying to gain my feet from the cars colliding.

I had a chance to look at the creature that attacked my friends. It was dark and leathery looking. Sort of like a sail with tentacles. I joined Sadi beside the car. She’d dropped her bow in favor of her sword.

I faintly heard Myntilly yell “Magic missile!” And then Durilin’s axe sliced through part of the creature. Its tentacles immediately relaxed.

Darkness

“Gross. What is that thing?” I turned to Acgar, who was standing on the other side of the car.

“I would guess it’s a darkmantle. This is the right habitat. They enjoy dark…..”

The rest of her words were muffled as darkness enveloped me.

Terror inspired me to flail at it with my mace and I succeeded in hitting myself on the head hard enough to fall over.

Terror

I opened my eyes to darkness.

I opened my mouth to scream and found no air.

My hands tried to find purchase on the leathery skin of the darkmantle.

I whimpered in panic.

And suddenly there was daylight. Rescue, release had come in the form of Myntilly and Brus.

Rescue

Brus seemed to enjoy the ride. He got to sit up in the cabin with the captain. Buzz went upstairs too. I was happy to stay safely in the middle of the boat.

When we got off, we could see what Rumbleguts meant. Although it was quite early, the other parts of the city had been bustling with life as the markets opened and the townspeople began their day. This area, however, was silent. Few people moved about on the streets.

We found the building indicated on Various’ map. There was a faded sign over the door, hanging by one chain. It said “Lotus Dragon” and you could see a faint picture of a dragon coiled around a flower. The windows on the ground floor were bricked over and the second floor windows looked grimy with age, or perhaps blackened on purpose.

There was no one on the street. I said a quick prayer and tried the door handle. It was locked, but at least it hadn’t been trapped! We really need to recruit a rogue. “Ian! Can you come chime this door?” A voice at my elbow said, “I’m right here.”

When the door was open, we could see a passage way. “That’s odd,” Ian said almost to himself. “What? What did you say?” Sadi came up beside us. “Well, it’s just that the walls look newer than the floor or the far wall. It’s like, those walls on the side are false.” Sadi picked up a stone from the sidewalk. “Think it’s a trap?” And she threw the stone into the passage. Nothing happened. “Alright. I’m going in.” As Sadi stepped in the room, arrows flew from both directions. A few of them struck her, but she was on her feet and sounded more annoyed than hurt. I immediately threw up a windwall to deflect anymore arrows.

I felt something pass by me and with a glance back figured out that Myntilly had gone invisible. Acgar came up beside me and Buzz said, “I’ve got the street. Go on.” Acgar stepped in and to the right, jabbing her spear into an narrow slit int he wall. Sadi was already jamming an unlit torch into the far hole. Ian looked at the holes and walked right in, because he was shorter than the height of the holes. He went to the far end, where there was a door. He opened it and was immediately slammed by several crossbow bolts. Luckily most of them were aimed too high.

Acgar’s spear jabs flushed out one of the snipers. He popped out a hidden door on my right. I called searing light down on him and he fell back through the door. Suddenly a sniper appeared on my left side!

Brus slammed past me and reared up at the man. I rocked back against the front door frame. I felt the power well up in me and I called upon Pelor’s power again. Searing light came from my fingertips and the man fell.

We had a moment to regroup. As I was healing Sadi, I heard Myntilly’s voice at the far doorway. “I don’t detect any magic, so I don’t think the crossbows will reload or anything. It’s a clever little trap…. Wait here. I’m going to take a look ahead.”

We saw a curtain to the left move and then heard a tinkling sound, like little bells. And in the next moments, arrows came flying.

We were all feeling a bit annoyed, I think. I strode into the room, saying a prayer of protection. “I am the blessing of Pelor.”

I pulled back the curtains only to see more of the rust colored curtains. “Oh for god’s sake!” I went to the closest curtain and wrenched it back. I startled the man with the bow so I was able to swing my mace and knock him to the floor.

Myntilly shot at another of the shooters as he emerged to attack Acgar.

Which was good because Acgar was fully focused on the man in front of her. Sadi and Brus didn’t have a chance to help, the fight was over so quickly.

Ian stood at the bottom of a set of stairs. He pointed to himself and then pointed upwards. Sadi shook her head and motioned back. We all regrouped on the far side of the big curtain. [to be continued.....]