Session 30: Reaching the Final Tunnel

General Summary

Pulling the Weeds

• The doors to the next room creaked open, and inside was an absolute infestation of plants. The decor and architecture of the room was identical to that of the ones previous, but it was totally overrun by large, misshapen, unnatural plants, covering the floors, walls, and large tomb in the back. This tomb, said Anzan, was the staircase to the next level.
• No one wanted to be the first to enter. Ashpin volunteered the services of Balthaus, who bravely trekked forwards 15 feet before being violently squeezed to death by a poisonous vine.
• After that, much debate was to be had on what exactly to do. N'nchyk used a flaming sphere to burn a path to the tomb, but nothing resembling a creature seemed to be affected. Everyone decided to stack up all of their buffs onto Viribus and send him in to hopefully draw out anything present.
• Loaded with every bit of magical protection the party could provide, Viribus cautiously creeped forwards into the room, causing the plants and vines around him to erupt into animation. The party stormed the room, and a sloggish fight ensued.
• Big clumps of vines grappled foes from afar, while smaller vine-like creatures lumbered around. Thorn slingers from either end of the room were launching deadly thorns from afar, causing any of their targets to continue to bleed uncontrollably. A massive plant above the tomb eventually dropped down, and began ejecting corpses from inside itself, all of which carried a terrible stink.
• The battle was one of attrition. Viribus, almost alone on the front lines, was barely kept alive while he slashed at the vines around him. Ashpin darted around to whoever was the most in need, and Anzan did the same. N'nchyk, jealous of the corpses and stank, showed the plants some stank of his own. Maleakos, to the massive plant's extreme displeasure, continued to levitate the creature harmlessly away for the majority of the fight as it struggled to rejoin the battle in reach of its tentacle attacks. Dooturr, Thanos, and Verin shot from afar.
• After the battle was won, the group took a short rest. Anzan, in an air of somber reminiscence, said one last goodbye to the corpses and items within as Maleakos, Viribus, and N'nchyk plundered the tombs throughout, taking significant damage in the process.

Selling the Crew into Slavery

• After the rest and plundering was over, the Crypt Crew decided to forge onwards. Dooturr was sent ahead to scout below, and described the room and creatures within, while communicating telepathically with Dooturr. He said that the creatures down below were xvarts.
• Maleakos could recall a great deal of information about the xvarts. They were created by a cowardly creature named Raxivort that had previously served a demon lord, and had stolen a powerful item from the demon. Raxivort created the xvarts so than any attempts to track down Raxivort was led to the nearest xvart instead. The xvarts were slavers and masters of vermin of all kinds, and were wholly dedicated to Raxivort. They were cruel, but cowardly, and hated any creature they saw as better than them, which was more often than not every creature they encountered.
• Ashpin and N'nchyk hatched a plan. Ashpin would summon the leader of the xvarts, and while hidden, communicate with him and pretend to be Raxivort. "Raxivort" would say that his incoming emissary, and his compatriots, would require free passage as they desire.
• Ashpin managed to sneakily descend enough of the stairs, and communicated with one of the xvarts, who was absolutely terrified, and went to summon his master, Beepblub. The creature that returned looked similar to the xvarts, but much older, and walked on stilts, wearing a long, imposing cloak. Beepblub was stunned to hear the voice of "Raxivort", but was thrilled to hear the arrival of a pathetic creature as an emmisary of Raxivort. 
• Beepblub was a little hesitant when he heard there was to be no sacrifice involved, but Ashpin's persuasive talents convinced Beepblub to give the emissary free passage as long as they would enter under their servitude as slaves for whatever they desired afterwards.
• Ashpin waved the disgusting emissary - N'nchyk, of course - onwards down the stairs. Beepblub was delighted to see this nasty creature, and the rest of the party followed suit, disguising themselves with magic, dirt, nasty vines, and pissed pants. Dooturr collapsed into a pile of bones.
• Beepblub was delighted to see this collection of revolting and pathetic creatures that would soon be entering under his servitude, and offered to lead them to the tunnel down to the next level. The Crypt Crew, now fully realized at the height of their powers, was more than happy to oblige. 
• Beepblub led them through the dungeon, with the rest of the xvarts looking on in awe and wonder. They passed by disgusting piles of black waste, swarms of insects, hordes of xvarts, past an emaciated hill giant, and over concealed bear traps. He led them to the southernmost portion, where there was an enclosed area barred by strong doors. This was where he left the party, thrilled at the promise that when they returned, they would be his new slaves.
• After defeating the unholy rat creature that lay within the area, the party gathered around the tunnel that was sure to lead to the creation of The Devourer, the center of his presence, and the reason for this temple's infestations, and pondered what to do next.

Rewards Granted

• Arawai's Claws
• Boots of the Winterlands

Character(s) interacted with

• Anzan, last of the Order of Fecundity
• Beepblub, leader and speaker of the xvart colony

Date begun:
13 Olarune, 998 YK
Date ended:
13 Olarune, 998 YK
Party level:
7

Report Date

12 Aug 2021