Chaos and Deception

Warning: Some spoilers for my Fiery Dragon adventure Queen of Lies appear below.

From left: Aliya, Canabulum, Serai, Zophas, Shurrin, Mara, and Udalaag

With the Black Lantern elves interested in taking on dark elves, Urlenius the ogre-mage contacts Mara, Shurrin, Aliya, Canabulum, and Zophas to tell them about the chaos temple that he helped find down in the sewers. As a group, they investigate the place. The cultists attempted to make the front area appear abandoned, but the adventurers are not fooled and press on, discovering a large temple. Within is a horrible mind-controlling worm-creature that takes command of Urlenius. The ogre-mage slays Zophas before the others can bring him to his senses.

After Zophas is restored and the group rests a while, they go speak with one of the nobles -- Lord Kirstol Dalimothan, whom they have contacted before, both as a mutual friend of Andach the druid (killed in the battle of Clasthamus Isle) and as someone to consult with regarding Shayla, the intelligent ancient elven dagger they acquired. House Dalimothan is known as House Dragon, and rumors say that some or all of the house are actually dragons or half-dragons. Lord Dalimothan, who is clearly older than he looks, enjoys talking with Shayla, and together they begin to piece together how one can reach the Seven Jewels of Parnaith, which the group learned of earlier. One can reach these islands only by "color doors," which can be found in certain places at certain times using a device called an Orrery. A magic item they already had, the Ilitor, can open the first door.

But they were getting ahead of themselves. For the group discovered that priests of Lothian could not bring Andach back from the dead after Clasthamus Isle. Divinations reveal that his soul is trapped in a black gem held within the Dark Reliquary of the Necropolis.

The adventurers pledge to Lord Dalimothan that, after they clear out the chaos temple, they will go to the Necropolis and rescue Andach's soul. Then, they will turn their attention to the Seven Jewels of Parnaith. Meanwhile, Dalimothan and Shayla would attempt to locate the Orrery.

Soon thereafter, the group finds itself back in the subterranean chaos temple. After harrowing fights with cultists and kython, they discover links between the chaos cult and the Fallen and the Forsaken in the Necropolis. (The Fallen are demons, and the Forsaken are undead or people who prefer the company of the undead.) They also get an ominous reminder that the chaos cultists actually serve the Galchutt -- dormant beings of great power and evil below the city. This means that the cultists, like their foul masters, await a fast-approaching "Night of Dissolution." With it will come the ultimate victory of the Galchutt and the destruction of all else.

Finally, the heroes come to a huge door with a serpent motif. Sister Mara received prophetic dreams about this door and the great dangers beyond. Based on that warning, the group decides to leave without going any farther. They dealt the cultists a terrible blow, however, virtually destroying the temple.

Then they prepared to go, yet again, into the Dark Reliquary. This time, they sought to free their friend. Aliya also had her own, secret agenda...

Dark Elf Hunt

From left: Tellian, Vexander, Gaerioth, and "Sercian"

Meanwhile, Sercian, Serai, Vexander, Gaerioth, and Tellian lead their army down into the deep reaches of the earth to find the dark elves of House Vrama. On their way, they encounter a small city of kuo-toa, as well as some other monsters. The kuo-toa prove reasonable, accepting a small tribute to get past them. And for the most part, the monstrous beasts of the subterranean realms seem to give the large group a wide berth.

After days of travel, the Black Lanterns become wary, and rightfully so. As they enter a large cavern, dark elves charge out in ambush. Some ride velociraptorlike lizards, while others are accompanied by bugbear warriors. The Black Lantern brings their own mercenary army to bear, and the two large groups clash. After a tremendous battle, the Black Lantern troops emerge victorious. Although many are gravely injured, the clerics among them (Tellian and Kelaed) heal them quickly, keeping overall casualties low. The group presses on.

It isn't until well into the underground journey that Gaerioth notices that the dwarf leader, Soren Clanstone, is acting strange. Specifically, he notes that, when the group reached a watering hole, Soren didn't from it, but sat quietly. Gaerioth tells the others, and they watch the dwarf carefully for a time. Finally, Serai grows tired of the situation and grabs Soren, tricking the dwarf into teleporting with him back to Ptolus. "We don't trust you and can't take any chances," the sorcerer says. Then, Serai teleports back to the Black Lanterns far underground, leaving the bewildered dwarf in a tavern.

Little did the group realize that Soren was actually the dark elf Vastare in a magical disguise. This dark elf of House Vrama not long ago impersonated Sercian, which sparked this whole quest to begin with. At least he could do no more harm to their quest now.

Next: The Company of the Black Lantern reaches Ul-Drakkan, fortress of House Vrama. The others enter the Dark Reliquary and find more than they expected. And there's even a villain who shows up in both places. But how can that be?

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