Turn 11 - Day 75 - The Temple of Sisyn

 

Ruairidh would have to be left behind, and Partho made him as comfortable as possible, as the company eyed the stairs up to the next level of the Temple of Sisyn.  Godric was determined to press on but they were now down to only three.  The Death God did not seem interested, this time, in their destiny.

Then came a voice from below, a faint call drifting up through the darkness.  Both Godric and Partho relaxed when they heard the unmistakeable accent of Alladore.  Krik nonetheless faded into the shadows, his new bow held at the ready.

"These stairs just keep coming", grumbled Radovan, as he kicked aside a skeleton femur, sending it over the edge to clatter onto the floor far below.

Behind him stood a tough-looking warrior that Godric vaguely recognised from a battlefield.

"Mina", she introduced herself.  "I'm carrying a message from Szarseesi, whom I believe you know". Godric nodded, and checked over the Ranger's seal on the parchment.  "I followed your traces to Tidjit, where this charming little weasel", she nodded towards Radovan, "offered to help me reach you.  What in the King's name is this place ?" she shuddered.

The message from Szarseesi was brief and somewhat cryptic.  Some indescriptable horror had been seen making its way towards Okerdik.  Godric sighed and tucked the parchment into his backpack.  They had other concerns at the moment, Okerdik would have to fend for itself.

"Unless you wish to send a message back, I can stay with you", added Mina.  She looked over the battered company, their tired eyes and their beaten equipment.  "Meaning no disrespect, but you look like you could use the help". [after receiving a contract from a Friend - which I chose to turn down, I used the "Old Friends" plot device to add a badly needed hero to the company; Radovan being healed at Tidjit, it seemed logical that he had led her to the Temple].

"Ready for more stairs ?" Godric asked Radovan.

"Onward to victory", replied the weasel, with heavy irony.

 

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Scenario Parameters :

This is Depth 5 of the Delve, which implies +2 Enemy, +1 Captain, +1 Exploration Marker and +1 Loot.

The company must face Winged Imps [for which I will use some Vampire Bats] p.180.  There are ten of them, with no alpha, but they also have the additional Captain, who I portray as a Giant Dragonfly.

The creatures are hungry for life and energy, hence the Lure of Magic (p.179).

When Krik scouts forward, he is happy to report that there is nothing unusual about this level.

Terrain is set up as per the generic rules (p.128-129).

This is a Site Battle, see p.142 for the rules concerning it.

Under Siege (p.219) is in effect, so should a Unique Foe appear during the battle, and is not slain, a roll must be made on the Enemy Plans Table (p.207).

Roll after this scenario to see if the Delve is cleared out, and remember to claim the additional +1 Loot.

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The company waited patiently, as the Giant Dragonfly and its accompanying cohorts buzzed off into the darkness.  When all had fallen silent, they crept forward.  The elevated platform proved to be unattainable, due to some hideous force of repulsion emanating from the ugly statue in its centre.  Having explored further, and overcome some isolated vampire bats, the company decided that they would slip away through the eastern platform.

It was at that moment that the Dragonfly popped up from behind the platform, and detected Krik.  The creature chased the company along the narrow walkway.

The flying creatures were faster, and to gain time, Godric formed a line of battle, thinking that once the enemy had bounced off it, all could flee.  Things worked much better than he expected, as during one of its passes, he was able to bury his spear deep in the dragonfly's abdomen !

With the monstrous form thrashing and crashing down several floors below, it was an easy task to clear up the last pockets of vampire bats, and claim the rich treasures of the Temple.  All this with not a single injury among the company !

At last, the Temple of Sisyn was free of its unwanted dwellers, and ready to be reclaimed by the inhabitants of Tidjit !

The company gained plenty of loot, especially useful to replace their numerous items of damaged equipment.  Both Godric and Krik reached level 3, and improved their combat skills, Godric now ranking amongst the greatest fighters of the Rangers !