Enter the Void Hollow - Episode Eight

== Summary: ==
"The Void Hollow," also known as the Endless Dungeon, was a tapestry woven from the remnants of ancient caves, fallen cities, and forgotten temples dedicated to obscure deities. Its halls whispered of a history littered with those who never returned and monsters that thrived in the shadows.
The dungeon was not merely a collection of corridors and chambers; it was an entire world unto itself, a realm where the very walls seemed to pulse with a malevolent life. There were secondhand accounts and a curious wizard's notes describing a place where dark fey drifts intersected with the remnants of lost civilizations. The dungeon's inhabitants ranged from lost souls unable to find their way back, to malevolent creatures luring unwary adventurers with hoarded gold as bait.
This place was a crossroad of the vast caverns, exiled fey, and fiendish domains. Legends spoke of dark fey banished from their realms, demons and devils trapped in a purgatory of their own making, and entire ecosystems thriving in the dungeon's depths. Six mercenaries navigated this living, everchanging dungeon, where every step could lead to fortune or death.
In this episode, the party mined magic crystals and alerted a troglodyte band to their presence. They fought the troglodytes and a manticore. Nwalmë took a hit of friendly fire from Roger and nearly died. Meanwhile, Tar’ren practiced his acting skills by becoming Gobin to confuse his foes. The party survived the encounter and made their way to the fifth level, where Tar’ren received a vision of the horrors to come.
== Mercenaries: ==
* Asher "Whiffle-Tongue" - Lizardfolk Wizard
* Eisen Mistburo - Human Cleric
* Eyalon Bogpyre - Deerfolk Sorcerer
* Gobin Glowstep - Halfling Druid
* Nwalmë Shadhavar - Shadar-Kai Rogue
* Tar’ren r'Eehp r'Eehp - Warlock
== Adventure: ==
The party saw Dulwin with his cart as he came into the treasure vault. He unpacked his supplies and was excited to set up shop there.
“You’re forgetting something of course,” Nwalmë said. “Finder’s fee. We cleared this up for you, we need a little something.”
Dulwin said he could tell them about a rumor or give them a 10% discount.
“You meant ‘and,’ right?” Nwalmë asked, bouncing his brow.
Dulwin was not intimidated. The party chose to hear a rumor.
Dulwin told them that he’d heard rumor that there was a great spiral staircase that headed deeper into the Void Hollow that had four elemental chapels. An adventuring party tinkered with one that held a sigil of air, which summoned harpies. The harpies killed all but one member of the party.
Dulwin offered his items to the party. He had a jar of strange-looking beads that smelled of cherries. They were Beads of Nourishment. He also had spell scrolls of Fly and Gust of Wind. Asher bought the scroll of Gust of Wind for twenty-five gold.
There was a Wand of Fire Control and some enchanted chain mail. He had a few potions as well. Finally, he had an Efficient Quiver. It could hold plenty of weapons and ammunition. Nwalmë slapped down the thirty-five gold to buy it. Nwalmë put two bone javelins and six spears into his quiver.
Gobin bought the Wand of Flame Control for sixty gold.
Eyalon asked if Dulwin had any gems. He did not. Eyalon asked him to keep an eye out for white rubies. Nwalmë asked him to keep an eye out for a longbow.
The party talked with Saval and equipped him for the journeys ahead. Eyalon passed his bone heavy crossbow to Saval.
Tar’ren looked through the party stash and took the Changeling Tunic and the platinum brooch. Asher meanwhile claimed the silver bracelet.
The party left Dulwin behind and headed out into the far reaches of the fourth level. They returned to the entangled stone hands. “Your art’s still standing there, kid,” Saval said to Gobin.
Nwalmë placed a hand on Gobin. “This young adult is one hell of a hero. Watch who you’re calling kid.”
Saval apologized. Nwalmë winked at Gobin.
Gobin proudly declared that he made that stone art.
The party went to the southern door. Nwalmë handed Asher a crowbar. Asher pried open the door and saw several shining silver crystals. Gobin recognized them as Aeon Crystals, which could hold divination spells up to third level. Gobin touched the crystal and called it an Age Crystal.
Roger said that he was already dead, so he should touch the Age Crystal. He started pulling it with Mage Hand, but it was too heavy. Asher and Eisen mined as well as they could, breaking off eight crystals.
Nwalmë’s ears perked up. He could hear a low growl coming from within the dungeon. Nwalmë drew his bow and kept on the lookout, sending Maahes back into the chamber.
The growling turned into hoots and hollers. The sounds were coming from the west passage. Nwalmë crept back and hid. Maahes yowled at Tar’ren. Tar’ren tapped Eyalon on the shoulder and pointed him towards the door.
Saval got his greatsword ready. “I know that sound. Trogs.” He held out his holy symbol and cast a Shield of Faith on Nwalmë.
Eyalon cast Minor Illusion in front of Nwalmë, creating a wall that hid the entryway.
Roger floated north and got ready to throw magic daggers of force. Saval neared the entryway. Tar’ren stepped to the side and hid.
Nwalmë silently dropped his bag of ball bearings, pushing them in front of him.
Asher crept behind a rock and prepared a Ray of Frost. Gobin followed Asher and prepared his shortbow. Asher kept him covered as a meat shield.
The troglodytes investigated the illusory wall but couldn’t figure out that it was an illusion.
Eisen moved behind Roger and cast Aid on the party. Saval prepared a heavy crossbow bolt.
Through the illusion Eyalon could hear the troglodytes getting closer. Eyalon cast Haste on Nwalmë.
Roger floated forward and asked Eyalon if he’d seen anything yet. Eyalon told him to go over his shoulder and take a look. “Are we going to engage?” Roger asked.
“It’s your call,” Eyalon said.
“Uh, no, it’s not,” Eisen said.
But Roger conjured a burst of green fire. A Flaming Sphere popped into the room with the troglodytes. A brute tumbled through the fire, not taking any damage.
“Wizard,” the troglodyte said.
“No,” Roger corrected, “a rogue!”
The troglodyte realized that the voice came beyond the illusory wall. It swung blindly through the wall, but missed Nwalmë.
Tar’ren cast a Vitriolic Sphere into the fray. A big ball of glowing green goo flew out and exploded, raining acid on his foes. The acid sizzled on the skin of the troglodytes as they screamed.
Nwalmë cast Invisibility on himself, then sidestepped the troglodytes. He stabbed one and then used Wails from the Grave to attack another. He disengaged and moved out of the fray to the east. On his way, he saw the troglodyte chieftain.
A troglodyte stepped through the flaming sphere and took damage. Asher cast Kinetic Jaunt and moved to the doorway, using Green Flame Blade against the brute nearby. He did critical damage, killing the brute.
Gobin moved closer and prepared to wildshape.
Hunters tried to shoot through the illusion at Asher, but missed. Another hunter moved through the fire and flames, dodging the damage. It stabbed blindly at the illusory wall, Asher neatly dodging the strikes. Then the hunter dissolved, its face melting off from the residual acid from Tar’ren’s attack.
Eisen sidled up next to Maahes and cast Toll the Dead on a hunter. The gong left the hunter stricken, falling to the floor.
“We have to do something about this,” said the chieftain to itself.
Saval said they had the enemies on the run.
Eyalon squeezed around Asher and stepped into the corridor. He cast Fire Bolt, but his red fire didn’t interact well flying over Roger’s green fire, dissipating before it could strike a foe.
Roger moved out and rammed his Flaming Sphere forward. It damaged a troglodyte. Roger cackled.
Tar’ren chilled.
Nwalmë was on the hunt. He struck the troglodyte in front of him. He moved to another and attacked, killing it. With Wails from the Grave, another troglodyte died. Nwalmë rushed to the other side of the hall and heard in Common, “And what do I get for killing these for you?” in the distance.
Asher moved down the hall near Nwalmë and prepared a Ray of Frost. Gobin wildshaped into a velociraptor. His plumage was glossy as he ran past Nwalmë and down south. He smelled the horrible stench of the troglodyte chieftain.
Eisen moved closer to Eyalon.
Gobin heard the sound of metal grating.
Eyalon moved westward with the rest of the party. He prepared a Fire Bolt.
Tar’ren used Disguise Self and turned into Gobin. He stepped out and said hi to the party, intending to bamboozle them.
Nwalmë moved into the room and a manticore jumped down from the ceiling, biting and clawing him. Hiding behind a rock formation was the chieftain. Nwalmë took out a Scroll of Burning Hands and cast it at the manticore. The fire did little damage. Then Nwalmë attacked with his Shortsword of Life Stealing, but missed. His second attack with a dagger hit. He used Wails from the Grave on the chieftain. Finally, he said telepathically, “Go after the chieftain, I’ll stall the manticore.”
Asher was hesitant to leave Nwalmë to face the creature alone. He moved closer to the manticore and cast Psychic Lance on it, though it resisted. Then he saw a secret door to the south. “Don’t die,” he said to Nwalmë. He moved towards a sconce on the wall and pulled it, revealing a hidden room.
Gobin dashed into the hidden room and found the troglodyte chieftain. He let out a raptor call for help both physically and telepathically.
Eisen moved westward and informed Saval about Nwalmë’s request to let him solo the manticore.
The chieftain smashed Gobin, breaking his raptor form. Gobin then dodged another strike, but the chieftain bit him severely.
“The kid sounds like he’s in trouble,” Saval said.
“He ain’t no kid,” Nwalmë and Eisen said in unison.
Saval moved into the room and tried to challenge the chieftain to attack him, but the chieftain was unimpressed.
Eyalon moved into the hidden room and channeled a portion of the Atrocity Gods’ power. He cast Cursed Bolt, harming the chieftain.
The manticore ravaged Nwalmë. Roger shouted and cast Magic Missile, the missiles slamming into the manticore.
Nwalmë threw his vial of ironsalt ink at the manticore’s eyes. The vial shattered on the horns, missing the eyes. He then used his Aerial’s Dagger of Magic Missiles to cast a third-level Magic Missile, pinging into the manticore. He swung with his shortsword and hit. His Wails from the Grave burned the chieftain.
Asher moved into the hidden room and cast Hold Person on the chieftain. The spell connected, causing the chieftain to freeze in place.
Gobin choked on the chieftain’s scent, but cast Grasping Vine to pull the chieftain back. Gobin then shot with his shortbow. He missed.
Eisen yelled to Nwalmë, “Are you alright with that there manticore?”
Nwalmë said he was fine. Eisen moved to face the chieftain and cast Toll the Dead, harming the chieftain.
The chieftain remained paralyzed. Saval charged in with his greatsword and smited. The damage was incredible, a searing cut along the torso.
Eyalon cast Cursed Bolt. As soon as the bolt connected, the stonework around the chieftain reached around and grabbed the chieftain, pulling the troglodyte into it and making it a part of the dungeon. Eyalon shuddered.
The manticore flung a tail spike at Roger and harmed him. Then it bit at Nwalmë, doing critical damage.
“I’m not doing so hot anymore,” Nwalmë said.
“I can make it hotter.” Roger said. He cast Fireball, harming the manticore. Nwalmë tried to dodge, and Eyalon cast a quick Silvery Barbs to bolster him, but nevertheless Nwalmë took the brunt of the Fireball and lost consciousness.
Tar’ren, still disguised as Gobin, came around the corner and shouted, “What did you do to Nwalmë?” He cast Banishment. The manticore swooped out of the room. Tar’ren turned to the group and freaked out, saying Nwalmë was down.
Asher ran into the hall so he could see his friend. “This is the only healing I have, but it is yours.” He cast Wither and Bloom, suffusing Nwalmë with vitality.
Tar’ren grabbed Asher’s pants and said, “Asher, the manticore is going to come back!”
“We will handle it,” Asher said. “Do not worry, Dust-Willow. …Wait, you’re not Gobin!”
Gobin moved into range of his Grasping Vine and had it grab him, pulling him closer to Nwalmë.
Eisen moved up towards Asher and Roger. He looked at Nwalmë and said, “You’ll get crackers and juice after this.” He cast Healing Word, healing Nwalmë.
Saval vaulted over a rock and reached out a healing hand towards Nwalmë. “Get over here, quickly.”
Eyalon moved near Nwalmë and prepared a Cursed Bolt in case the manticore returned.
“I’m so sorry,” Roger said. “I thought you always dodged the stuff. I’m a terrible friend.” He flew off crying.
Tar’ren shook and said, “Asher, is it time to bring back the manticore?”
Asher said that they need to prepare their attacks and surround it. He put a hand on Tar’ren’s shoulder and said, “I know you may be feeling the pressure of the body you’re in, but you need to focus on who you are. We are stronger together. We can handle this.”
Tar’ren took a deep breath and steadied himself. He nodded.
Nwalmë stood and cast False Life on himself.
Asher flexed and prepared a Psychic Lance for when the manticore returned.
Gobin shouted at Nwalmë that he would be alright, casting a powerful Healing Word.
Eisen summoned his Twilight Sanctuary, filling the room with purple light.
Saval used Lay on Hands on Nwalmë, revitalizing him. He then stepped back and prepared his sword.
Tar’ren called Roger to come back. He then looked to Nwalmë. Nwalmë gave a thumbs up. Tar’ren dropped concentration and stepped behind a wall.
A faint popping occurred as the manticore reappeared. Asher’s and Eyalon’s attacks hit, the Psychic Lance causing it to reel back just in time for the Cursed Bolt to form a hand that grasped the manticore and dragged it into the depths of the dungeon.
With the battle done, Nwalmë slumped against the wall and pulled out some food and water. He grimaced at Asher. “It sucks getting old.”
Asher agreed that they weren’t the youths they used to be.
Eisen stared daggers at them. “You don't know the meaning of old.”
The party found a cache in an alcove. Eyalon tried to look for traps but saw nothing.
Gobin saw Tar’ren pretending to be him and was stunned, asking if the others saw it. Eyalon said they all saw things from time to time. They would get over it. Gobin accepted that explanation and collected bones.
Eisen jaunted over to Roger and comforted him for hurting Nwalmë, saying Nwalmë was fine.
“I got too excited with my newfound power,” Roger said.
Eisen said they were all friends. He tried to pat Roger on the back and, realizing there was no back to pat, gave a thumbs up.
Eisen took Roger to Nwalmë. “I’m sorry,” Roger said. “I thought you were going to dodge.”
“Hey, hey, hey.” Nwalmë chuckled. “Do you know how many times I hit my friends and they forgave me?”
“I’m guessing a lot by the way you’re phrasing it.”
Nwalmë nodded. “I shouldn't have done my stupid thing. I’m grateful you all came to save me.”
Roger created a Mage Hand. “Friends?”
Nwalmë shook the hand. “More than friends. Teammates.”
Saval and Eyalon pried open the cache. There was 400 copper and 600 silver. There was also some charm made of bone. It was a Hunter’s Charm that could help rangers fight favored enemies.
Gobin found several humanoid bones, along with a metal cage partially off of its hinges. Gobin collected a ribcage, three skulls, five animal bones, a foot bone with some toes missing, and an arm bone with a hand.
The party moved towards the level exit. Asher carried Nwalmë piggyback because the Shadar-Kai was enervated from the fight.
The group descended the stairs. There, they felt a faint breeze moving about, along with beetles crawling around the walls and wild mushrooms.
Tar’ren got a feeling that they had crossed realms again, entering a plane of death and blood.
Suddenly, water dripped from a stalactite to the ground. In the reflection of the drop, Tar’ren saw a millipede-like creature with tentacles, massive eyes, and razor-sharp teeth. It was a carrion crawler. Tar’ren sent the image to the rest of the party through the telepathic bond, along with a feeling of dread.
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Enter the Void Hollow - 08