The party:
- Ploikal, orange magic-user level 6 (TM)
- Gorakal, orange thief level 5 / fighter level 2 (JH)
- Pholgon, purple fighter level 4 (MG)
- Xull, orange fighter level 4 (JW)
Treasure:
- Embroidered toad skin (305 SP)
- Silver instruments (1,920 SP)
- Ancient serpent man coinage (468 SP / 155 GP)
- Unholy sword +2 “Sibilant Doom” – a sinister curved black blade with serpentine runes, snake-hilt with gemstone eyes, and bat-wing guard
- Snakeskin scroll with two spells in blood (Hibernate, Protection from Vermin)
XP: 4,243
Casualties: None
Report:
Day 1
The party sets out to investigate the derelict mech of the ancients rumored to lie in the Yellow Flats desert. They acquire potions of mithridate from Neferha as protection against the sickness the mech supposedly causes. As a precaution, they tie a rope around Xull.
Carefully skirting the boogieman encampments, they make their way into the desert. Xull struggles to maintain control over his possessed visitor claw, which desperately wants to engage the boogiemen, but manages to resist its influence.
In the desert, they spot their destination: the mech, enclosed by a low wall and guarded by a massive purple iron statue of a muscled man tending the sand with a rake. They approach and engage the statue in conversation. It introduces itself as Gonazir, servant of Nachatak, the god of war.
Through careful negotiation, they convince Gonazir to allow them closer to inspect the mech. However, when they begin speculating about how to enter it, the statue firmly states they are not permitted inside. Frustration mounting, the party decides to resort to force.
Ploikal attempts mind-affecting magic, but Gonazir shrugs it off with a warning about “funny business.” Gorakal makes a failed backstab attempt with a crowbar. The statue sighs, says “suit yourselves,” and attacks with his rake.
The battle is brief but intense. Gorakal uses his magic boots to dash away at high speed while firing his laser, scoring hits on the statue. Gonazir retaliates against Pholgon with a devastating rake strike. Xull’s claw damages the statue though his magic sword proves ineffective. Ploikal contributes a barrage of magic missiles. Recognizing they’re outmatched, the party exchanges glances and flees. Gonazir lets them escape.
They return across the desert and fields without incident, once again avoiding the boogiemen.
Days 2-3
Pholgon recovers from his wounds. The party purchases rope and Gorakal searches unsuccessfully for acid. Ploikal uses his crystal ball to observe the mech, confirming the statue maintains constant vigil.
Day 4
That evening, the party pivots to explore the guild hall instead. Ploikal’s inkbat familiar scouts ahead, reporting skeletons at the bottom of the shaft.
Pholgon and Xull drop down and smash the skeletons to pieces before they can react. They discover and pocket an embroidered toad skin.
Moving to the cave with the bioluminescent stream, they find a brute bathing in it. Pholgon skewers it with his spear before it can respond.
The party begins shooting down the shaft at oozes in the cave below. The oozes retreat before being destroyed. They lower Gorakal on a rope, and he continues the assault as the oozes crawl up the walls toward him. Just before they reach him, all are eliminated.
Descending into the cave, they strip it of valuable instruments. The adjacent eastern cave yields more treasure: ancient coinage, a sword, and a scroll. Ploikal’s magic reveals the sword radiates powerful evil.
Ploikal summons an unseen servant to collect the treasure, which grudgingly complies. Gorakal carefully wraps the sinister blade in leather armor.
Three toads appear in their entry tunnel. Ploikal obliterates them instantly with a lightning bolt.
The party stares at him. “You can cast lightning bolts?! Now you tell us?”
Ploikal shrugs.
They return to town without further incident.