| The party (Fick, Ignatius, and Jack with Drusila) soon headed for the ancient treasure laden ruins that Lady Amethyst told them about. They arrived in front of the massive base of what was a gigantic tower to the sky. In front of them was a kneeling elf. The elf was heavily scarred and told them that many horrible monsters dwell within the ruins. He claimed that they had tortured him and he had escaped their clutches. He also told them where these creatures were and what he knew about them. The party first headed for the hive of the bee-people. With their superior firepower, they were able to counter the bee�s tactics and soon destroyed most of the hive. With the queen vanquished and the workers dead, the party claimed a massive red diamond and the other treasure. Next they decided to check out the griffon nest on the top of the ruins. The griffons were easily dispatched but mysterious forces healed them and blasted the party with powerful magic. As the party fled burning rocks that fell from the sky, Jack was able to determine that effects were coming from four stone tablets on the ethereal plane. Ignatius soon destroyed them and the group claimed the crown of ancient king. After healing some, the party returned to elf and asked him some more questions. He refused to return with them but did ask for some wine. He also told them about the spider-people who dwelled in the middle levels of the tower. These spider-people seemed easy pickings at first until their champion a powerful tattooed monk leapt into the fray. He was able to avoid most of their blows and dished out massive damage to Jack with his brilliant energy nun chucks. Ignatius was finally able to down him with his spells and the remaining spiders fled. This left the lower levels populated by yuan-ti and their horrific gladiators. The party snuck up on the crowd of serpent people as they watched their games. After destroying a monster trying to kill a human, they turned on the crowd. The yuan-ti fled after turning Drusila into a snake. Then the gladiators arrived. The half-scorpion lizardfolk were relatively easily dispatched despite their successful ploy of tumbling a pillar on top of Ignatius. The true challenge was an ettin champion of the arena who flew after the party while using his cleric abilities to best effect. Also he possessed gauntlets linked to the skins of slain beasts along the ring, which spared him from death. Finally after a bloody battle the party just barely defeated him. Below the arena the party followed a treasure trail left by the snake people, which led to a powerful wizard who liked to create monsters. Her impressive spell power and her monstrous guardians made for a challenging fight. A one point she fused Fick with one of her creatures creating an incredibly powerful creature under her control. Under its assault Jack was forced to teleport out and even Drusila took some damage. Finally she was blasted with force and defeated and Fick/creature was incased in a globe of force until he separated. Fick very nearly killed the creature even as it surrendered. The other party members saved it and left unconscious but alive. As they left the ruins with their treasure horde, the found the human who had escape the arena. He was carved up and a message was written in his blood. The elf thanked them for destroying those who refused to bow to Demogorgon, demon lord of the Abyss. Feeling a little uncertain about their deeds they went home. |
| The Tower of Babble |