Campaigns

Back to the Burning Star

The Banewarrens, Part 20

Theeurth Date: Daarlem 23-25, 2806 (Early Summer)
Location: The Banewarrens (The Baneheart) 

Players/Characters Present:
Bruce Barnett - Bonzimir Amantes (Rog7/Hlf3)
Barbara Muth - Nereida Amantes (Clr10)  and Elida ( KSK8)
Tim Chan - Demetrios Amantes (Wiz 7/Hum3)
Davis Murphy - Basil Amantes (Ftr9)
NPC - Aulus Hirtius Neverius (Ftr5/Eldritch Warrior5)

Nereida quickly cured the vrock demon's infection from Bonzimir and Basil, who were grateful to see the disgusting purplish vines wither and fall from their bodies. 

About this time, the heard an unearthly roaring far above and many seconds later, saw masonry rain down around them.

Grimly, they pressed on into the vrock's lair.  There, they discovered its filth-ridden nest and extracted many shiny objects from thence, including an ivory wand that radiated a minor aura of necromancy.  Seeing an open hallway beyond, they Company proceeded down this into the empty room beyond. 

As soon as Bonzimir stepped within this chamber, a heavy dart fired out of the nearby wall and slammed into his chest.  Luckily, his magical jerkin absorbed the blow, for the thing was coated with some virulent sort of poison.  As Bonzimir set about locating and disabling the trap's trigger, Nereida cast detect secret doors and was astonished to find that the entire floor consisted of "secret doors", actually secret pits.  By experimenting, they were able to find that these pits opened up under pressure, and Bonzimir was able to disarm enough of the pits to get the Company across the room to the door on the far side.  There, Bonzimir at first discovered nothing, but acting on a hunch, he continued to search and eventually found a dangerous magical trap.  Not sure about what to do with this trap, the Company decided to leave temporarily and examine the open vault on the far side of the bridge. 

Before they could, however, the vrock demon reappeared.  It had been standing, invisible, in its own lair as they stepped back through, and now launched a deadly attack on Demetrios, who barely survived it.  Declaring itself the "Dukett, Lord of the Baneheart" and shrieking curses, it launched an all-out attack on the Company.  At first the small confines of the space seemed to put Dukett at a disadvantage, but it soon became clear that it wasn't necessarily so.  With the Company so close, it could easily affect them all with its stunning shriek, it's foul spores and its reach. 

Spells flew and swords flashed.  Dukett grew magical duplicates which were quickly destroyed.  He summoned ten minor demons which made the cramped space even more difficult.  While these were no match for the prowess of the Company and were mowed down like wheat, they gave Dukett time to batter at Basil and Aulus.  When he was beginning to be worn down, the demon seized Basil in his talons and teleported away.

As the Company finished the last of the minor demons, Dukett and Basil appeared far up the shaft.  After raking Basil with its beak, Dukett said "And now you die," and let the big warrior fall.  Luckily, Dukett didn't know all there was to know about Basil.  As soon as he was grabbed, he had activated Demetrios's winged boots, which he was still wearing.  Basil did plummet, but he did so under his own power, moving away from the demon at full speed.  With a cry of rage, Dukett raced after him.  The demon was much faster and kept circling Basil, raking him with talons as he flew past.  But when Basil came within range of Demetrios's spells, the demon broke off the attack and retreated to one of the upper ledges.

The Company then healed up.  Aulus asked Nereida whether she had access to the dimensional anchor spell.  He suggested that she use it on Dukett as soon as it reappeared so that it could not flee. 

Then the Company did investigate the far side of the bridge, and found a large chamber with an ten foot tall iron statue.  This, they knew, must be iron golem they had been warned of.  Under cover of a sphere of invisibility they tried to sneak past it, but when it suddenly struck out at them, they unleashed all their might at it.  They were astonished to see the thing fly apart, with gears and springs coming loose.  It took a moment to realize the truth - this was a decoy intended to make them waste their best spells.  With time now running on their defensive spells, the Company hurried into the next chamber and there saw another, larger iron statue.  This one, covered in spikes and blades, looked like a smaller version of the immense statue at the entrance to the Baneheart.  As soon as they entered the room, it moved to attack.

This was the true iron golem, and its devastating attacks were breathtaking in their ferocity.  In addition to its solid iron blades, it exuded a terrible poison gas.  Bonzimir and Aulus immediately moved to flank the great machine and assist Basil, knowing that only the Sword of House Ducastis that Basil wielded could harm it.  Demetrios flung spells, mostly useless, from the corner, while Nereida leapt in and out of combat under the protection of a sanctuary spell.  Elida used Yaeshla's potion touch ability to dole out healing potions to the men in combat.

The Sword of House Ducastis cut into the thick iron as easily as another sword might bite into a block of wood.  But the golem was immense and powerful and very hard to injure.  Then, too, with each blow it shattered bone and mangled muscle.  Basil's wounds were terrible, but Nereida's and Elida's steady healing kept him alive while his brother's distractions gave him the slight edge he needed to continue hammering at the deadly guardian.  At one point, Basil was struck so soundly that he nearly died, but the quick reading of a heal scroll saved his life.  Demetrios was also able to help him defeat the golem when he discovered that his orb of acid spells could actually damage the machine. 

At last, the great guardian ground to a halt, metal screeching and putrid gas escaping from its ports.  But there was no time to celebrate, for Dukett was back, screeching its hatred and trying desperately to murder Demetrios.  This time, the demon had not been able to fully heal, and it bore many of the wounds from their previous encounter.  Nereida had used her spells in the desperate attempt to keep Basil alive and so could not prevent the demon from using its teleport ability.  But her brothers and Aulus were still fully charged with spells from the recent battle and they easily drove off the demon again.  Next time, they swore, they would be ready.

And here the story paused...

1) What created the great roar and the fall of masonry?

2) Can Dukett be killed?

3) Where is the Sword of Truth/Sword of Lies?

4) Where is the Sealing Rod?

5) Where is the final third of the Staff of Shards?

6) What waits at the top of the Baneheart?

Back to the Burning Star

Forward to The Banewarrens, Part 21