Realms S1E22 Descent

The party has some time to bond and reflect. They decide to re-investigate the cave from where they unleashed Nevres and find themselves in hot water, well, hot lava to be more precise.

### Synopsis

Recently awoken from what was either a vivid vision or a memory, the party collects themselves. Debating their next move, the group sees merit in revisiting the hole deep in the mountain where the dragon Nevres once dwelled. Jazelle tells them that one of the men who had recently ventured there and back can be found working in the tavern, a young fellow named Dai.

Dai is reticent to talk, but after gentle reassurances from Jeidobii and Denahi (and a bit of goading from Torq) he reveals that he lacked the bravery to enter the cave and turned back. Further, his friend who had taken the journey with him is now likely dead from the dragon's attack on the town. Our heroes empathize, and leave the young man be for now. They settle in for a meal and drinks while Jeidobii steps outside to commune with his grandfather's spirit.

Aros is slow to respond. He doubts the veracity of Jeidobii's claim to the bloodline, daring him to place the amulet around his neck. Jeidobii does so and the artifact clamps itself down, hard, onto him. A surge goes through Jeidobii that almost overcomes him, but he survives and assimilates the power of his birthright. He goes back into the tavern to collect his friends and make for the mountain.

As they leave, Jazelle returns to her home and takes Carlox with her. The party sets off. The path to the mountain is not as fraught as it was in their first outing, so they make good time to the first pass. They make camp before going further. Burakubuu and Denahi offer to hunt down some food, and Denahi proves herself the better hunter of the two. Jeidobii and Torq have a heartfelt talk while they set the fire. Jeidobii reveals his doubts of his martial worth to the team, but Torq reassures him, reminding him of the many impressive feats the druid has achieved. Jeidobii forms a face in the fire as they both watch, that of Theodore. He expresses his resolve and rage to Torq, who promises that when they find the traitor, his blade will not fail.

Jeidobii takes first watch, eventually pressing on through second watch and taking the form of a panther, startling Torq when he wakes. When they arrive at the mouth of the cave, they feel the same familiar sucking sensation drawing the air down. They descend into the darkness when a sudden quaking and rumbling surrounds them. The rock walls within begin to crack and crumble and the party dashes deeper in seeking a safe refuge, with many close calls as they progress. Finally they come to the altar room. There is no further path to follow but deep into the pit from whence the dragon came.

Burakubuu offers his back to Denahi and deftly leaps down, using his superb agility to make a safe landing. Jeidobii casts a new spell upon Torq, granting him spider-like ability to simply walk down the rock walls to the bottom of the pit, while he himself takes the form a giant lizard to do the same.

Down below a river of lava splits the ground in two. On one side the party discovers a bevy of gold and treasures, among them a magical bag that seems to hold more than it's size would indicate. As they gather treasures they notice deep grooves indicating an even larger chest had been dragged away. As they begin following the trail, the mountain itself shakes once more, releasing a rockfall and they run to safety. Clear of the avalanche, they find suddenly that creatures born of the lava have flanked them.

The party engages the lava creatures in battle, finding that though there are only three they are still formidable. The lave creatures shift form from liquid to rock, forcing the party to repeatedly adjust their strategies. One of the creatures grabs hold of Denahi and Burakubuu knocks them both into the lava while attempting to free her. It looks dire for the Tiefling but she saves herself with a well timed cone of frost at the last second. Burakubuu swoops down to grab his weakened friend just as the ice melts and they land safely on the other side of the lava.

Jeidobii lashes out at the lava men with a fury, finding himself suddenly encased in thick white bark; a newfound resilience and strength infuses him. Together, he and Torq slay the aggressors and the party regroups to head deeper in as they seek their way out. As they follow the path, they encounter a strange new creature, large and savage looking with sharp teeth and milky eyes. It holds the severed arm of a humanoid, and seems at first afraid of the group. As it backs away it makes a series of clicking sounds.

Our heroes assume it is trying to communicate, drawing in closer, when suddenly a cacophany of response surrounds them in the darkness.