Session #15 as told by Inez

Welcome to the latest chapter of our Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) campaign, set in the legendary world of the Forgotten Realms. This blog serves as a living novel, documenting our journey through the eyes of those who live it. Each session report offers a unique, in-character perspective on the perils and triumphs of adventuring.

Our story follows an unlikely trio of heroes:

• Finn, the streetwise Halfling Rogue with a knack for finding trouble (and exits).
• Jonathan, a devoted Halfling Priest standing as the moral compass of the group.
• Inez, a striving Gnome Wizard whose arcane mastery is often or not the saving grace.

Today’s chronicle is told from the perspective of Inez. Step into her mind as we recount the magic, mystery, and unexpected turns of our latest quest.

 

Jonathan grabs the key

Session #15 as told by Inez

Dear diary,

Today was a hard day for this gnomish adventurer. Though it ended up more or less in the right way, I felt like an ordeal and the last part was like one quite literally. As I am more or less responsible for the mess we’re in, I felt I needed to make up for that. But it cost me an arm and a leg, or more precisely, my neck dear diary. I had to go dwarven-deep and then gnomish-deeper to get us through and keep us together! But let me tell you all.

Yesterday I felt proud as I had managed to cast a magic shelter to keep us safe and allow us to rest. But I had not thought of the Owl Bear cubs. For a little while they sat with me, providing me with warm cushions and a barrier to the halfling men. Not that Jonathan and Finn can not be trusted, and besides, the three of us were dead tired. All that we wanted was to rest and sleep, not even dividing guard duties, nor discuss the role of a certain gnome female in the last days events, let alone meshing gears with one of them. (No further comments, dear diary!)

Just wanting to close our eyes, but it was not to be. Like young kittens, the cubs out of nowhere started chasing each other, hunting invisible vermin, running in and out through the magic facade, like a loose screw got stuck in their tail! Every now and then completely disappearing out of sight, leaving me worried, as I could not search for them without ending the spell. Asking the halfling to look for them did not help, as even Jonathan was annoyed by the critters. He still tried to console me, the good friend he is, still his words brought only false hope and some tears. Finn just laughed at me, telling me he hoped the cubs would stay away so he could sleep. More honest, and much more annoying as always, dear diary. 

With that, I was almost happy when they returned some hours later in a frenzy, invading the tent as a group of Kobolds. If it was their wild behaviour, running us over, or just the fatigue taking over, at that point I could no longer maintain the arcane construct and our shelter collapsed. Forcing us to continue after much sooner than we had hoped for. 

Jonathan lit up a torch instead of using his magic to light up the tunnel, his tiredness was eating his magic reserves too. The path led us further down, through a narrow passage, the ground covered with pebbles and rocks. As a gnome, even a city slicker like me,  I can find my way underground, nevertheless this time clambering down did not come easily. At some point, we toppled a large boulder, starting a small boulderdash. Both Finn and I got hit by stones, painful enough, and a rather big one hit poor Jonathan at his feet. Fortunately he could still walk, be it staggering for a while. It made me learn a new side of my friend and a new repertoire of curses to Chislev and other gods of nature.

Ending up in an underpass we followed the trail of two humans, who had goose-stepped here. We too formed a long line, Finn upfront, followed by Jonathan with Gregot beside him, then me and the rearguard formed by the cubs, still gamboling around. Dog tired as we were, no heed was taken of sounds and cracks in the wand, we just moved forward, one foot at a time. 

And then they were upon us! Six giant rats, much larger than the ones in Ki, came out of nowhere. Considering their size and the fact that three of them were radiating a strange green light, we should have seen them coming, but now it was too late! The only thing I could think of was grabbing my knife and shouting at the cubs to attack them. Which too did remind me of Ki, and which once again paid off badly. In contrast, my halfling companions had a much more adequate response (Which reminds you of Ki, very very nice, dear diary!), Finn lashing out his big chopper and Jonathan casting a powerful spell, each killing a rat instantaneously. Leaving four, that all made their way towards me! 

Somehow I got away with just some bitemarks and scratches on my clothes, and two rats dangling on the leather straps of my boots. Seeing my clothes ruined did not improve my mood, dear diary! Not to mention the cubs leapfrogging for the best position to watch, completely ignoring the vermin!

Wrathful I summoned magical powers, not entirely thinking through the consequences (Guess this reminds you of Ki too, dear diary?), hurling a firebolt at the rats nearby. Watching with content how a rat was scorched. Then realizing that cubs and friends were just as near as the blackened carcass. There was no time for such deliberations however. Three rats once more charged at me, a big green one hurling towards my throat. It landed on my right shoulder, it's nails digging into my skin, then sharp teeth made their way to my neck! A shrill pain slashed through my body into my brain and with the question if my body would be eaten by rats or by the cubs I lost my consciousness, mourned by a diary, a spell book and a grinning idol.Thereupon falling down rather ungracefully this time I’m afraid. 

Opening my eyes again a little later, I was surrounded by blood, gore and carcasses of rats. A warm radiance emerged from Jonathan’s hands into my corpus, as I was lying on the floor as if I had borrowed tinker gnomes wings but forgot the landing gear. The priest was bowing beside me and was calling over Gregot: “Gregot, Inez in pain!”. The little creature appeared in my sight: “Pain?” “Yes, lot’s of pain, Gregot.” It placed a little leaf of its arm at my neck, another one on my arm. A green glow appeared out of the leafs and Gregrot itself and once more warmth enveloped me. “Thank you, thank you very much, Gregot”; I said, getting back up slowly. Not having time, or idea, how to properly thank the Treant properly, my etiquette classes falling short once more. The little creature was making a round, handing out energy and healing wounds seemingly effortless. Finn was treating it with some water, and its little roots gurgled off the floor. A much more practical and appreciated showing of gratitude than my courtly nods and curtsies, dear diary.

Looking round I found my two halfling companions also bruised but still standing. After inquiring about my condition I was filled in the details of their fight with the rats after I passed out. Finn too had a bitemark in the neck, these rats knew how to jump and find vulnerable spots, especially the green tainted ones. One of these was still lying gurgling, vomiting blood and rottenness, at certain moments producing such loud and disturbing sounds, that it caught our attention. A last holler set a golden ring free from its intestines. And who else then Finn was the first to pick it up, examining it by the light of Jonathan’s torch. “There’s something written on the inside; ‘Burton Boot’; wasn’t that the name of one of the guards?” “No, no, that was Yander Boot, their cook, we had a talk about what makes halfling cakes and bakery so good!” The two halflings were like cats, one moment fighting for their lives, the next sleeping or in the case of halflings, discussing food. “Burton and Yander are probably married.”; with that suspicious conclusion Finn slid the gem likewise suspiciously in a pocket of his coat.

“Allow me to examine this corpse, there could be foul magic at play here.”; I told the halflings, wavering them away from the dead vermin. “I need some time to investigate!” Kneeling down I saw Finn stepping away shaking his head, guiding Jonathan by the shoulder. “Let our wizard do her job, this is not something for us, simple souls.” Pesky halfling! Not letting this hinder my concentration, I kneeled down in front of the remains of the foul creature, still illuminating a faint green flow. Got out my spellbook that opened by itself at the correct page, like, why wouldn’t it. I started concentrating on the texts and symbols on the page, trying to ignore the whispers coming from the small black thing. Prickling fingers guided small rays towards the vermin, lighting up the green stripes of its skin. Taking my time I tried to find traces of arcane items or influences, but there were none. Hence I confined the magic flow, bringing it back into my own sphere. Breathing out, opening my eyes, getting back up, turning towards the halfling men: “Not a trace of magic, in this rat.” “Really now, that is a really really useful finding!”; followed the riposte of a cynical rogue.

Looking now at Jonathan and Finn, I saw fresh sweat dripping on their faces. Behind them the floor of the tunnel was filled by a puddle of flesh, hair and bones of what must have been a huge animal. It looked like Moradin had salted away parts of the Great Worm in this tunnel (as High keeper Ironmantle had taught me so many times). “What happened here?”; I inquired in wonder. “While you were doing your wonder stuff, we had to fight off a truly large rat, little princess!” ; Finn retorted, followed by a profanity before walking by the stretched out pile of vermin remains, poking in with his chopper. This took him several steps away from me,  (But I refused to ask a single question about the monster, dear diary!), reaching the cubs, who were nibbling on the remains happily. “No worries, we’ll do the work, come on Jonathan! Let’s collect those rat tails!”

The two halflings walked off to collect rat tails. To find that the green rats had been left alone by the cubs, but others were devoured including their tails. On top of that, the bulky one (Who I secretly call ‘Jonathan’) had eaten one green tail, part of it sticking out of his beak. Head shaking again, Finn could only find three back ends: “And those puffy hatchlings rejected by Tiamat, can we finally chop them up or chase them into the tunnels here? They’re as useful as you, a walking Gnome trick. Plenty of sparkles and rotten smells, but when the blades come out, you’re about as helpful as a dull shiv.” Adding to the insult, he then threw a bloodied piece of what had apparently once been a giant rat at me, hitting and smudging my jacket. “Why did you do that for? You ruined my jacket, you little thief!” This was beyond pesky, dear diary!

Only by stepping between the two of us, Jonathan managed to take the sting out of our dispute, hushing and salving, at last appeasing the rogue and me: “Are you guys ready as well? Adventure!" For all that, it sounded like he had to convince himself too. It did the job and I was thankful for that. From there on the trail of human steps was easy enough to follow. The tunnel grew wider and our predecessors had walked side by side from here. Dust had gathered here for ages and their steps were clearly visible. My dwarven friend Thorga would have said: “If the trail’s obvious, it’s either goblins, orcs, or your own stupidity.” And she pretended to have visited her family in Citadel Felbar, but I always doubted that, dear diary.

After walking for quite some time, every now and then crossing old sewers, there was a series of turns and curves, before we entered a large rectangular marbled room. The insides were decorated lavishly with mosaics, floor and plafond showing abstract patterns, the walls had large pictures beset within the forms. Strangely no dust was found on the floor and the atmosphere too was clean in an unnatural way. Sunk in the floor were four large baths, each the size of a small pool, with its own steps to enter. On the far side was a large two piece door, closed and its golden lock was designed and lavishly decorated to tell any rogue: “You better find the key.”

Walking through the room we found the baths filled with different coloured water: Clear, milky white, azure blue and the radiant green the rats had shown earlier. Particularly that last one looked very unpleasant, and that was to put it mildly. With the help of an untaught sign language, adopted because it either was wise to limit sounds or we were still a bit agitated, tasks were divided. The opulent decorated lock was to be inspected and hopefully cracked by Finn. Jonathan walked over to the baths and I was to investigate the illustrations on the wall. 

The monochrome decorations depicted figures dressed in mantles and hooded, in an abstract style that the figures could be specimens of almost any species. Clearly the scenes took place in this room, with groups of robed people standing around the pools. Some of the figures were walking into the baths, others watching or ushering as well, holding staves of some kind. The seriousness indicated a religious or arcane ritual being depicted, the figures being allowed through the door after immersing several baths. All of that repeated in manyfold, differencing in sizes and color. And that was all I could make of it. So much for my talents as a guide and source of knowledge, dear diary.

Meanwhile Jonathan had been dipping stones in the different baths. When I rejoined him, he showed me proudly how the different fluids changed the color of a stone, dipping and mixing, with no lasting effect on the stone. Except for the greenish tint, that like tar kept stuck on it. “Inez, do you think these rats bathed in the green water?”; though naive, it was actually a good question for the priest. “I don’t know, that might have been the cause of their coloring and behaviour. The only thing I still know for sure, is that I don’t know a lot.” “Or is there someone around who paints the rats with this water?” Fleeing for his questions, I headed for Finn, only to find more questions. “Can you read the runes on the lockplate?”; the rogue asked. And as our faces met when I too bowed to inspect the lock, our eyes did too, and I swallowed an insult that I had prepared. “Let me have a go at it.”; I answered, studying the door and its lock. It was hard to tell at what point the lock started, its ornamentation covered a major part of the door. Obviously dwarven made, metals, stone, gems and wood were interwoven, adornments depicting heroes fighting monsters and rune inscriptions, technically perfect, stylishly overdone and lacking humor. “No, no, the runes over here, in the hand of the handle.”; the rogue was pointing at the handshaped decoration at the end of the lever, an open hand with runes inscribed in the palm and fingers.    

“These are dwarven for sure.”; I stated and immediately regretted it. “Well, you don’t need to be a beholder to see that”; Finn sneered: “But what’s written?” Blushing, teeth gritting, I tried to decipher the runes. That the Idol had started whispering in my ears eary messages the moment I started looking into the runes did not help either. Not that I was going to share that with this companion. And of course these runes were of an age or dialect or perhaps even deliberately encrypted that the most I could make of it was that its message was probably a strong warning not to try to pick this lock. Not scoring points with a certain halfling, dear diary. “And over here, what do you make of the illustrations on the walls?”; Finn took me by the arm and led me to Jonathan, who was admiring one of the bigger images, between the passage where we had entered and the first bath. “Well, they seem to depict a ritual, either magical, religious or a mix. There are no symbols indicating which god or what type of arcane school, no clues of number or order of baths, other than they are always four grouped together. And a closed door on one side, an opened one on the other.”; trying to sound like my father did in court, an articulated staccato, I tried to impress the two men. Without very much success. 

“So, someone or something has to take a bath or two and the door opens? That’s easy!”; Jonathan was already on his way. “Wait, wait, this stuff could be poison or worse. You can’t just step in!”; running and yelling after him, I was in time to prevent him from stepping into the first one. “Finally a valid point! We can’t just step in, we’re no rocks and no rats. But we do have three fine species here!”; Finn tried to pick up one of the cubs, but had to let go as it snapped at him. “We’re not gonna put the cubs into the tubs!”; I howled at him. “Why not? They’re not of very much use to us anyway. And on top of that: they smell worse than trolls!” ”If stench is the criterion, I would say that a certain halfling man would be our first choice!”; stepping between the rogue and the cubs, I took a hopefully deterrent enough stand. 

“No, no, no, that’s not needed. I will take the baths.”; once more Jonathan stepped in as mediator. “No, no, that would be too dangerous.”; I responded; “Perhaps Gregot could try?” Now two angry halflings were at me. And I do admit, dear diary, that it was not a very friendly or grateful suggestion from my side. And to my own wonderment I managed to step back, apologizing to Jonathan, Finn and even Gregot. As the storm settled, Finn let Gregot have some more water. The little plant-creature let out a friendly ‘Gregot!’ looking appeased, even with me. “Look, this baths are entirely fine and safe.”; Jonathan steered us along the pools, each time dipping a finger in, pulling it out, then showing us: ”The pure water, the bat milk, the melted sky, and the rat paint. All safe, only the last one sticks a bit to your skin and clothes.” “How did you come up with, with well,  those names?”; I asked dumbfounded. “Chislev told me, how else?”; the priest's answer left me dumbfounded and speechless. 

“So, who will do it then? If you need a bit of privacy, we can wait outside the room, my princess!” Finn’s swaggering statement broke the silence. “Well, I will do it!” I had made my mind up, being responsible for us being here and wanting to add my share. “You can stay here, I’ll leave my clothes on. In fact, I’ll even put on the hood, like the bathers do in the pictures.” No challengers nor objections from the halflings, I tried to interpret that as a positive sign (Hush, diary). “Let’s attach this rope to your middle, we can pull you out if needed.”; Finn wanted to strike the iron when it’s hot. And there I was, like I was the golden Carp caught by the two halflings at Nook’s fishing pond, standing in front of the steps of the first pool, filled with clear water.

Before stepping in I buttoned up my jacket, raised the hood over my head, susurating a prayer towards Azuth, adding one to Helm for all time’s sake. The moment the water started running into my boots I felt the cold biting my skin. Somehow my fears did not overbear me, step by step I went further and deeper into the pool. Breathing in once more, before going under completely. Looking up, sunken, the water surface refracted the light into hundreds of illusions. Each of these showing a different path, a divergent track that I could have taken or should take, overwhelming and bewildering. As it was impossible to pick or find the right one.

Snorting and grunting I lay on the floor, on the edge of the pool that Jonathan and Finn had pulled me out of. Carefully they helped me up, bombarding me with questions that I waved away. Albeit feeling even more weakened and drained, I knew this had been only the first test of four, I just had to pull through. Shambling to the next bath, I sensed the warmth of Jonathan’s magic glowing around my body, however could not place what effect it had, besides the glow. Some blessing of a sort? The nature of his magic was beneficent and generous, in contrast to the arcane extravaganza of a certain young gnome lady, point taken, dear diary!

The blue surface of the melted sky hid the tips of my shoes the moment they went under. Not as cold, or was I getting used to this, I thought, do continue, do continue. The blue goo sent phantasms and mirages through my skin into my body, into my mind. Dancing around in my brain, Talontar priests sang songs about the loss of health and youth, the loss of beauty, at the same time inviting me, trying to seduce me. Closing my eyes, trying to push these nightmares out of my head, I heard my fathers pleas and speeches in city council and court. Thankfully I was pulled out again, this time I managed to use the steps in the bath to get out of the blue faster. Gasping for air the moment my head got out, scared and cold to the core.

“Let’s do this one, before I relinquish.”; I said, more to myself than to my two companions. We walked the path between the previous two pools towards the third, filled with the ominous green. Staring down, I once more prayed to the gods, adding one to Mystra as every bit counts, again forcing myself to start walking. The green sludge bit, gnawed and stung! Burning my skin where it licked or touched. The only thing I could do was grit my teeth and march. Holding my breath as I dove under, pulling the rope, getting out of the basin as soon as possible!. Crashing in front of the halfling men, cussing and crying for minutes before I came back to my senses. 

“Gregot, pain!!”; I heard beside me,where Jonathan was instructing the treant. The little creature gently placed two of its leaves on my hands. A subtle wave of its hands initiated a greenish glow, followed by a heat that drove away most of my pain. For a while I remained seated on the floor, my hands round my knees, breathing slowly. Finally opening my eyes, I saw there was still some green on my clothes, and where it had left, the cloth had been blackened and ruined. My skin was still itching, but further undamaged, most likely thanks to Gregot. “Yes, you look quite the daredevil now!”; Finn gave out, catching my looks. “Only one to go, this one will be easy. At home you probably bathe in donkey milk before attending a ball?” Annoying and comforting me at the same time, I had no stamina left to come up with a proper response. 

Standing up I looked both Jonathan and Finn in the eyes before I regained the audacity to walk over to the last bath. The few steps towards it, my legs were shaking and only the presence of my companions made me go through with it. The silky water did look like donkey milk, I told myself, you can do this. This time it started with an itch, just a prickling sensation at places. Halfway this irritation changed into a biting pain! Fireside stories of  Drowspawn’s Itch, the poison of our dark underground kin, came back into my mind. Only with the last of my determination I forced myself under! Pulled out once more just before passing out. 

Blowing and puffing for air, I laid on my back. Wearied to the bone and my body aching, all I could think of was ‘Had it worked?’: “Did the door open?” “No, not yet, but open your eyes and look up!” Jonathan was pointing upwards. Above me, hovering underneath the high ceiling, was a key. Its collar and shank were decorated in the same style as the door’s lock, completed by a large bow filled with stones.”So get up, get your reward!” Alas, as I tried to get up, my body refused: “Won’t do, too much pain.” “Gregot, can you help out Inez again, she’s in pain.”; appealed the priest. “Gregot, gregot.”; the creature made clear that its arcane energies were worn out. Being watered by Finn did not help, or at least not immediately, Gregot did enjoy it. “Let us help you.” Jonathan and Finn each took one arm and lifted me up. “You’ve done a good job, red!” “Yes, Inez, that was really brave of you!” The compliments of both men brought water into my eyes. Biting my lips, I avoided shedding tears: ”Let’s get that key!”

My reward, as Jonathan had called it, was floating over our heads, just out of grabs for halflings or gnomes. “Inez, we will lift you up, so you can grab it!”; Jonathan was once more full of initiative, his lust for adventure propelling him. However the wet, slippery marble floor was not a good place to do circus stunts. Let alone with the person to be lifted bruised beforehand. “Give me some space, please.”; I asked; “Jonathan, move there, right below the key.” Picking up my backpack I took out the spellbook, its weight and touch a welcome sensation in my hands. Opening it I found the spell, and the energy to cast it, raising Jonathan off the floor. Concentrating to steer him smoothly until he was within reach. “Ouch, this thing is hot like lava!”; he cried upon touching it. Then surprising me once again by using his cloak to ensnare the key. As an accomplished wizard I somehow made him land softly. Was there still some hope for me, dear diary?

Next to us Finn had searched his backpack for one of the red potions. “See if this brings some strength back!”; he announced and before we could make any amendments, he washed it down. “Are you alright?”; I enquired. “Yes, this is better!”; he replied, flexing his muscles, showing off. (He really did look more muscular, dear diary, and I leave it there.) “Now show me that key!” As requested by Finn, Jonathan carefully arranged his cloak on the floor, then opened it up, revealing the key. Sitting next to it, kneeling on the floor, I moved my right hand index finger closer, careful not to touch it. There was a hint of magic, still nothing that caused pain let alone lava. Placing my finger down at the stone grip,from there moving it the full length of the shank, nothing happened. 

Picking up the key, then storing it into my pouch, I proposed to my companions: “We need to rest first. Let’s set up camp here, it feels like a safe enough spot.” And even without having arranged for food, the halflings agreed. This group of adventurers was as empty as a beer barrel after a dwarven party, the spring of our clockwork had sprung, we were desperate for a rest. Even the dartling cubs did not annoy Finn anymore, a bad sign. 

So we prepared our camp in front of the door, dear diary. Praying the gods for a long rest. Too tired to think this all through, feeling a little proud of my perseverance, still also worried for what is lying in front of us. And with that, I end for today. Next time!