Week 1
I have died and been born again. During a battle against the forces of Evil I was struck down. I felt myself leaving the material world. I do not remember everything that happened during the time I was in Kord’s Realm but I do remember that I was stood outside a great hall. Sounds as if a great feast or celebration were going on came from a slightly opened door. I reached for the door but was pushed back.
I awoke in my old room here in the Temple of Lordly Might. The priests had brought me back. I know in my heart that Kord has a destiny in mind for me and that it is not yet complete.
Two days ago we had been given information that a cult we suspected of having the Wands of Water Control was using some nearby caves as a base of operations. A former guard of the city called Treale was now a priestess of Hextor and was leading this cult. An informant gave us a map to caves. Jenya, now officially the High Priestess of St Cuthbert, urged us to find these wands as they were crucial for controlling the flood water that threatened the city. It has been raining for many days now and the lake is rising ever higher.
The entrance led to a cliff face within an immense cave. A lake that glowed with a dim light was dozens of feet below. On the other side of the lake was a beach with several buildings and exits from the lakeshore. On our side of the lake looking down was a building with a closed door. Connecting both sides was a cage suspended on two ropes; a winch system was visible at both ends. Badvok scouted ahead and heard two guards behind the door. We managed to dispatch the guards before they could raise the alarm, though it was a tough battle, fighting through broken doors and windows.
Unfortunately someone tripped a spelltrap and an alarm bell went off briefly before we could silence it. We hurried to get everyone down to the beach before anyone could respond.
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Week 2
Kaile and I were in the cage being winched across the lake when several figures appeared on the beach below. One of them was a wizard of some kind, he flung spell after spell toward the cage. I was badly wounded by the onslaught but Kaile faired worse than I. A bolt of lightning struck the cage, the pain was incredible. After it had gone Kaile was not moving. The others managed to winch me across. When everyone had arrived on the beach we chased the wizard down a series of caves. We had no choice but to leave Kaile’s body behind in the cage.
The wizard had disappeared but we managed to track him. The caves were all covered in spider webs. A group of former Allybashers tried to stop us. This definitely proves a connection between Tongue-eater and this cult (Allybashers found at both locations), though what else has driven Badvok’s former associates to fall in with this cult is at the moment a mystery.
The fight carried on down further into the cave where we are also attacked by giant spiders. Monstrous things the size of ponies, they are surprisingly quick and being attacked by one is not pleasant at all. And they smell horrible. The Wizard joined the fight again this time with two Ettercaps. I have heard of them before, tales from wandering clerics and knights that visited the Temple, but to see the withered bodies with spider-like heads is another thing entirely.
We struggled on, Badvok was injured and knocked unconscious. Lia fought bravely against the horrors and used the healing wand on us all. Tycho’s spells helped to finish off all the attackers, including the wizard (a Halfling). Once Badvok was brought round and healed we searched the area and found many interesting items, including six of the eight Wands of Water Control.
It was then we heard the sound of battle coming from the beach.
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Week 3
We ran back to the beach. When we got there we saw the cage had been moved and was at that moment halfway across the lake. Two figures were stood on the cliff, shooting crossbow bolts down at people on the beach. We instantly recognized our friend Fario and Fellian. It seems they had followed us down to the cave and were attempting to retrieve Kaile’s body.
On the beach were several Allybashers and Treale herself ordering them to attack Fario and Fellian. We use the cover of some rocks to approach closely to them. Once we got close enough I charged out and shouted a challenge to Treale. We fought each other while my fellow Avengers attacked the Allybashers. Fario and Fellian managed to winch up the body and Fario started to descend in the cage.
I managed to get several hits on Treale wounding her severely but she proved too much for me alone. It was at this point I remember visiting the Halls of Kord. My friends tell me that Lia struck the final blow that killed Treale. They brought her body back to the surface along with mine and Kaile’s. Badvok remained in the cave to spy on any activity while the others returned to town. Using money we made from the sale of some of the items found in the spider caves they paid the High Priestess Jenya and the High Priest of Kord to perform the magic to bring Kaile and back from the dead.
I have been spending some time here at the Temple, recovering from my experience. I have been to see the blacksmith again, this time so that he can refit the armour that Treale was wearing. The armour will now serve the forces of light and I purchased a symbol of Kord to wear over it. All who see me now will know that we, The Valas Avengers, have vanquished Evil and serve Good.
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Week 4
We have recovered in town sufficiently that we can return to the caves. Whilst we were here in town we spent some time (and Money) at Skye’s Magical Emporium. She was interested to hear of what adventures we were on at the time but we couldn’t say much of what we were doing right now but I did tell her of The Lucky Monkey and Tongue-eater. Tycho joked that Tongue-eater was not a lucky monkey. We, that is “The Valas Avengers”, will now have a discount whenever we shop at Skye’s.
Jenya was pleased that we had found some of the wands but said that all of them were necessary for the ritual. We told her that we are going back and will search out the remaining two.
I have not yet spoken to Kaile on what his experience of death was like. He seems to be somewhat removed at the moment and I will give him time to think upon what has happened. I know that for me it was a chance for me to be close to my god. I know that I have a calling and that being here, in this city and part of The Avengers is part of it. But I cannot also help feeling that this is merely a beginning.
It was in fact the end for Coda Tyburn. He has been killed in action against the forces of evil.