BLACK FLYING SNAKES
CHES 28th (The Claw of Sunsets – 1492 DR)
03:09 am
Black Flying Snakes, Amath Seccent Priests of Bane, Acolytes of Bane, Zhentarim Thugs, Lucius Bile the Healer, Aranat, Daisy Shadowfoot and Urstul Floxin all found in Yellowspire Tower and the adventures did not expect that.
With the door closed from the Vestibule into the adjacent chamber, the 3 adventurers took the time to regroup, Heal and plan their next move.
This also allowed the occupants of Yellowspire to gather their forces, including the 4 Black Flying Snakes that resided on the Upper Level of Yellowspire.
Alley casts her ‘Cure Wounds’ Spell on herself, she thought that she needed to say it back for the other but they have their own assets.
Alley: “And the jury is still out on weather these two are friend or foe. Merf is very bloodthirsty, but this seems too obvious a trait of evil, that he may be trustworthy. Vara Silvershield on the other hand appears to be far too convenient. With Zarek gone, we have a literal Knight in shining armour come to Trollskull and offer their service. I’m not sure, it is as if someone has said they need more muscle and Vara Silvershield appeared. Odd, to say the least.” Alley ponders over and over to herself, more to keep her mind busy and off her concern for Zarek.
Merf gets ready to enter the Ground Level, beyond the Vestibule and its locked, thick Oak, iron banded door, with Alley giving Vara the side-eyes. His mind set of killing Amath Seccent.
The Paladin and Bard then suggest that everyone listens out first, then they can deal with the lock and that would allow Vara to enter first. Vara knowing that the Priests of Bane, Amath Seccent, needed to be stopped and brought to justice.
Vara: “Just imagine if the Priests of Bane, Amath Seccent, and her Acolytes had been torturing innocent victims and we did nothing, I could not live with myself.”
Merf: “Just kick the door down and I will kill the Priest of Bane, then you two can kill the others.”
Merf does not mention the Ceremony on the Upper Level, the Priests of Bane, Amath Seccent and her Acolytes holding candles and forming a circle around a gagged and blindfolded unknown male Shou human commoner. With the imperious, middle-aged man being shackled to the floor.
Vara: “I will not just kill for killings sake little friend; everyone needs to be allowed to decide their fate.”
Vara elects to listen out for enemies and hears one of the Acolytes of Bane chanting, possibly casting a Spell, and other movement of beings moving about.
Merf is persuaded to check the lock, to see if it was closed and if he could unlock it. The Halfling Rogue can see that the key was still in the lock, making it harder to pick but not impossible.
Merf was magnificent, maybe trying to show-off to both Vara and Alley regarding his abilities, and the Halfling Rogue was able to unlock the door, remove the key at the same time and also recover the key. All this and silently enough for the 2 Zhentarim Thugs not to hear him.
Meanwhile, the Priest of Bane, Amath Seccent, was healed and revived enough to prepare to call form her Black Flying Snakes and then return back to the Upper Level.
The pair were not able to congratulate Merf as he counts to three and opens the door, with Merf and Alley waiting for the Paladin to act first. Vara took her time as she prepared herself and looked up to see 2 Zhentarim Thugs, Mace in hand, waiting behind the door. Battle commenced once more.
Vara concentrated both of her attacks on one of the Zhentarim Thugs and wounded him severally, but he still stood his ground and was still up.
Merf then moved in, squeezing past Vara who was in front of the door and made his way to the second Zhentarim Thug, who had yet to be hit. The Halfling Rogue used both his Rapier and ‘Raven’s Dagger’ to attack and positively decimated him, leaving him swaying on his feet. A more impressive feat when Merf realises that the Zhentarim Thug was Parrying.
The Roguish type that had attacked Vara previously then appeared from behind the solid stone core pillar that held Yellowspire up, and the stairs leading down to the Cellar, and fired once more at Alley after being direct to do so by the Priest of Bane, Amath Seccent. Avareen Windrivver then dashed back down the stairs and out of the sight of the adventurers.
Alley was about to move in and fire her Hand Crossbow at either the Priest of Bane, Amath Seccent, or her Acolytes, when Amath Seccent moved first and made her way up the stairs to the Upper Level above. As Amath Seccent ran she began to screech or call out to someone or something. A she reached the stairs Amath Seccent, touches herself and chants.
As Amath Seccent raises her hands in the air, 4 Black Flying Snakes descend from the Upper Level and fly down to attack Merf, the closest adventurer, and Vara too. Amath Seccent use the distraction to disappear up the spiral stairs.
The 4 Black Flying Snakes, summoned down by Amath Seccent use their incredible flying ability to dart down and attack the adventures and they fly away so that they are unable to react to their attacks as normal. Merf is bitten and the area immediately begins to sting, which alerts Merf to the idea they may have Poisonous Bites.
Vara is attacked in the same way and also takes grave injury from the Black Flying Snakes, summoned down by Amath Seccent.
Alley fire at, and hits, the last standing Acolyte of Bane commanded by Amath Seccent. Two others were dead and the third of the four, was unconscious or dead on the Upper Level.
The Paladin and Rogue concentrate on finishing off the remaining 2 Zhentarim Thugs and leave the Black Flying Snakes, summoned down by Amath Seccent, to fly about the ceiling above them. They fly about waiting to attack again and fly back out of danger.
Merf and Vara both kill their respective Zhentarim Thugs, and then they, accompanied by Alley, discuss their next path and they agree to follow the Spy down the stairs to the Cellar of Yellowspire.
As they stand and arrange their marching orders, the Black Flying Snakes, summoned down by Amath Seccent, fly down from the ceiling above and they once more attack the adventurers. Two of the Black Flying Snakes aim for Alley and the other two strike on Vara and Merf. Again, these small creatures inflict a bite, and the subsequent Poison effect, to Alley and Merf.
Merf has taken more damage than he would have liked and realises that he needed more protection or to allow Vara to be their vanguard.
03:10 am
The Halfling Rogue then draws his Hand Crossbow out in anger and shots dead one of the Black Flying Snakes, summoned down by Amath Seccent. Alley followed suit and also drew her Hand Crossbow out and dispatched one for the remaining Black Flying Snakes, summoned down by Amath Seccent.
This action scared the remaining Black Flying Snakes, summoned down by Amath Seccent, and they flew off back to the Upper Level.
Vara: “Rogue, Bard, stand behind me and let me go forth as you are both injured.”
Alley takes out a Jar from her bag and calls Merf over.
Alley: “Merf, show me your injuries and I will rub this Keoghtom’s Ointment on it and you will be right as rain.”
Merf and Vara both note that Alley has become more compassionate and Merf, in particular, was very grateful.
The Rogue and Bard allow the Paladin to go down to the Cellar first and he does his best to make as little noise as possible. This is not on the same level as Merf and Alley and her footsteps can be heard by those that are listening out.
Vara Silvershield descends some 30’ feet or so and eventually reaches a flattered base. There she looks out and see the following in the chamber beyond.
Iomhar Rackham rolls over in his grave.
03:12 am
Luckily, the Paladin finds that there is only one person in the Cellar. Vara Silvershield finds the flowing.
In the Cellar are a small, circular wooden table is surrounded by four stools made from empty barrels. A deck of playing cards is scattered atop the table, with a few stray cards lying on the floor. Another pair of tables had also been upturned.
Various crates are stacked against the west and south walls. Each contains, what looks and smells like, a twenty-day supply of edible rations.
Set into the north wall is a sturdy Oak door with iron fittings and a built-in lock which is slightly ajar.
Vara Silvershield innocently walking into the room and questions the human in the south-east corner of the Cellar.
Vara Silvershield: “Hold there, slowly turn around and declare your intentions.”
Lucius Bile: “My name is Lucius Bile, a healer and no threat to you or any other.”
Vara Silvershield: “Then why are you here Lucius Bile, in the den of the Zhentarim?”
Lucius Bile: “I have been paid to be here, I am not one of their number, I swear.”
Vara then notices that Lucius Bile had a small creature perched on his shoulder as the Healer turned around. The Paladin could did not recognise the creature and so was very weary of it and its master. Though not a Fiend, the creature was a small, Imp-like flying creature composed of fiery cinders, hot air, ash, and soot.
Then as Lucius Bile turned, the Paladin also could now see that there was a small female Halfling laying still on the bed.
Merf and Alley join Vara at the foot of the stairs and they too can see both Lucius Bile and Daisy Shadowfoot, who was laying on the cot in the south-east corner of the Cellar.
The Paladin questions Lucius Bile to see if he was telling the truth about being a member of the Zhentarim and she was convinced that Lucius Bile was in fact telling the truth.
Lucius Bile: “As you can see, I have been an innocent party and will collect my things and leave.”
Vara: “What do you know of this Female Halfling Lucius Bile?”
Lucius Bile: “She is dead and there is nothing I can do for her, please let me go. Give me your word that nothing will happen to me and that I will not be hindered and I will leave. You will never see me again.”
Lucius Bile moves to the table and begins to gather items that he packs away into a leather bag. The small, Imp-like creature, then disappears in a cloud of smoke.
Vara ponders Lucius Bile’s words and once more believes them to be true.
Alley is watchful and stays hidden in the shadows, while Merf steps forth and challenges the words of Lucius Bile.
Vara moves over to check on Daisy Shadowfoot, whilst Lucius Bile makes his way to the stairs. There his path is blocked by Merf who is not convinced that Lucius Bile is a person of trust.
Merf: “I’m sure he’s just nicked Zarek’s, or Daisy Shadowfoot’s, ‘Bag of Holding’ with the ‘Stone of Golorr’ inside. Now that Zarek is dead it is best that I look after it don’t you think Merf?”
Merf: “Why yes I do Merf.”
Merf ushers Lucius Bile back into the Cellar for further interrogations and a good search as well. The Bard stands behind the Rogue, fearing that the Black Flying Snakes would return, as he blocks the stairs up and out of the Cellar.
As Vara turns around she steps on something, and having looked down, finds a small black, pouch. The Paladin stops, thinks and decides to keep her foot on it.
Merf continues to question Lucius Bile, as he thinks that he had robbed Daisy Shadowfoot and taken anything of value from her.
Alley meanwhile, keeps a close eye out for more enemies and on Vara and Merf and how they respond to the treats of Yellowspire.
Alley: “Remember that Daisy Shadowfoot does not operate alone and her bodyguard Aranat must be close.”
It was at that point that the door in the north bursts open and out steps a human holding a Hand Crossbow aimed at the Paladin. a stocky, male human in his mid-40s, known as a high-ranking Zhentarim agent by Alley and Zarek. He is has pale skin, black hair, and distinct, extreme burns covering the right side of his face. He wears studded leather armour and carries a Hand Crossbow and Shortsword.
Urstul Floxin then fires at Vara Silvershield and she finds that, whoever he was, he was a skilled marksman and Assassin. Not only did he find the chink in the Paladin’s armour, but the Bolt itself was covered with a green, sticky substance.
Vara: “Ahhhh, more Poison. Nothing that I have not encountered before.”
Urstul Floxin then smiles at the Paladin, closes the door behind himself and locks it with a key.
Vara dashes over to the door in the north of the room and stands guard making sure no one else attacks from the chamber beyond and that no Black Flying Snakes were released into the Cellar either.
Lucius Bile: “Let me go I have nothing to do with your quarrel.”
Merf: “Stay where you are Healer, we have not finished with you yet.”
Merf is about to enter the Cellar to search the Healer, Lucius Bile, the Dead Rogue and anything else that he thinks of importance, when another forgotten combatant appears from her hiding place in the north-west corner of the Cellar, behind a stack of crates.
Avareen Windrivver, the Zhentarim Roguish Faction Member, looks at her options and can see that her only way-out id up. Luckily, she is an expert at such things. She fires at Alley, hoping that the male Halfling would be less of a treat to her as she attempted her escape.
Avareen Windrivver fires, and her Bolt too was covered with a sticky dark brown substance, which hurts and stings the Bard as she is hit. Then Avareen Windrivver dashes past Alley and Merf, out past them and up the stairs to the Upper Level.
Alley and Merf chose to stay put and not be drawn away by Avareen Windrivver. However, when Merf thinks it is safe to enter the Cellar, and search both Lucius Bile and Daisy Shadowfoot, he was surprised by an ‘Invisible’ attacker.
The attacker, having hit the Halfling Rogue with two mighty blows from his Longsword, materialises and revels Aranat.
Aranat was furious and his focus of attack was Merf, he did kill Daisy Shadowfoot twice after all.
Aranat: “You WILL pay for the death of Daisy with your life, you Little Jokeling Thief.” The Fighter screams out through gritted teeth.
Merf is struck twice and bleeds from several cuts.
Several things happen next, Merf and Alley engage with Aranat with Rapier, Dagger and Scimitar.
Lucius Bile weighs up his options as to what to do or where to go next.
Vara intends to help with Aranat, but was compelled not to strike someone in the back like a coward.
Merf: “A little help here Vara, throw one of your Javelins at the brute. That’s why you carry them is it not?”
Vara: “I will not fight a man that has his back to me.”
Unexpectedly, the Imp-like flying creature composed of fiery cinders, hot air, ash, and soot appeared in front of Vara. The Imp-like creature opens its mouth and spues forth a 15-foot cone of smouldering hot ash and the Paladin takes more damage for her troubles.
Vara: “At last, a creature that I have no qualms about striking with no impunity.”
The Imp-like flying creature is nimble and the Paladin manages to stick it, but she is disappointed that she did not destroy it outright.
Merf continues to call out to Vara for her support and she feels impelled to help the Halfling Rogue, thinking that his life was in danger. Vara draws a Javelin from her back and throws it at Aranat which, in addition to the damage taken from Alley and Merf, finishes him off and he fall lifeless to the ground.
Then Lucius Bile unexpectedly weighs in by rushing over to the body of Aranat and touches him as he casts a Healing Spell. Aranat wakes, stands and as he gasps for air, sees Merf’s shocked face and smiles.
Lucius Bile: “Remember our deal, now you have to save me.”
Aranat: “Round Two, you puny Gnome.”
Vara is standing by the locked door with the Imp-like flying creature still hovering in front of her and it once more attacks the Paladin. The Imp-like flying creature claws at Vara drawing blood from the Dragonborn. The Paladin returns the favour and destroys it. However, this causes the Imp-like creature to explode with its Death Burst. It leaves behind a cloud of smoke that fills a 5’-foot-radius sphere centred on its space. The sphere is heavily obscured.
Vara is grateful that she took no damage from the effect but moves out of its radius of affect.
Alley was the fastest at this point but she held back and did not attack either Aranat or Lucius Bile.
Alley: “I am pretty much convinced that Merf is an independent contractor and has no idea of what’s a play in the grand Game. A new player on the board that I will happily recruit. As for Vara, the jury is still out on her, or should I say the Doppelgänger or Jarlaxle Baenre.”
Merf knows what Merf Knows, and he knows that a Spell that brings a being back from the dead, leave that being very week.
Merf: “So I will attack Aranat immediately and not allow him to live any further.” The Halfling Rouge concludes to himself.
Merf strikes first with his Rapier but fails to strike the killing blow. All seems lost and all he has left is his trusty ‘Raven’s Dagger’, which he put to good use as he once more kills Aranat. The Halfling Rogue then attempts to cut-off the head of the Fighter and companion of Daisy Shadowfoot, Aranat.
Vara steps out of the smoke cloud and can see what Merf was attempting.
Vara: “Stop that, what do you think you are doing? We are not defilers of corpses.”
Alley: “As I said, rather have Merf in the Tent pissing out, than the alternative and have him kill us all in our sleep because we ate his sandwich.” The Bard thinks to herself.
03:13 am
Black Flying Snakes:
Merf, the Halfling Rogue first searches the bag placed on the floor by the Healer called Lucius Bile.
Merf: “I think we should kill Lucius Bile, saves time and effort.”
Alley and Vara: “We know you do.”
Lucius Bile does not look happy at all. In the Healers bag there are bandages, salves, and splints.
Merf: “Mmm, not the items I expected and not the ‘Bag of Holding’ containing the ‘Stone of Golorr’. That is what we need to find.” The Halfling muses as he goes through Lucius Bile’s items.
Lucius Bile smiles to himself as he can see that the Halfling Rogue is looking for something in particular and he failed to search him.
Merf kneels down and begins to search the dead body of, the Fighter and Bodyguard to Daisy Shadowfoot, Aranat.
On his body he finds the following items:
- 5x Crossbow Bolts (In a silk lined pouched)
- Potion of Climbing (This potion is separated into brown, silver, and gray layers resembling bands of stone. Shaking the bottle fails to mix the colours.)
- Potion of (This potion’s dense, purple liquid has an ovoid cloud of pink floating in it.)
- Potion of (This potion is stored in a round glass flask. An iron band wraps around the bottle, ornamented with a goat’s skull.)
- 42 Gold Pieces
- 63 Silver Pieces
- 4x Gems (worth ?? gp each)
Merf then moves over towards the bunk in the corner of the Cellar chamber and immediately checks to see if Daisy Shadowfoot was really dead and gone.
Merf: “I’m not sure, she looks dead to me. Maybe you should check Paladin, this is more your area of expertise.”
Vara Silvershield moves over to the Female Halfling Rogue and checks herself, not wanting to show that his medical knowledge was not as good as it should be. The Paladin hold her, bright and shinney, Longsword under the nose of Daisy Shadowfoot and there is no mist showing.
Vara Silvershield: “She is Dead and may she rest in the bosom of her God and find the peace that she did not have in life.”
Alley looks at Vara Silvershield suspiciously and stays with her back against the wall.
Merf then returns to search the Female Halfling Rogue, Daisy Shadowfoot, as she lays dead on the bunk. The Halfling Rogue notices that their two Backpacks were also laying at the end of the bed.
The Halfling Rogue searches Daisy Shadowfoot and he finds the following items.
- A ‘Bag of Holding’ (A small functional black sack, unlike most others made.)
- Potion of (This potion, if agitated, will bring muddy liquid little bits into view: a fish scale, a hummingbird feather, a cat claw, or a squirrel hair.)
- Potion of (This potion’s container looks empty but feels as though it holds liquid.)
- Potion of (This potion shimmers and vibrates slightly with a low hum.)
- Potion of (This potion is made-up of a bright, swirling, semi-transparent luminescent indigo liquid that shifts and moves as if it were alive.)
- 42 Gold Pieces
- 38 Silver Pieces
- 3x Gems (worth ?? gp each)
As Merf looks thought the items he has taken and placed in his backpack, Vara suggests that they take what they have and exit the area.
Vara: “We need to depart from Yellowspire, and leave its Priests and Acolytes of Bane, the nasty Black Flying Snakes and Zhentarim Faction members well behind us.”
Merf: “We still have people that need to be dealt with and treasure to recover, what is your hurry. Call the City Watch already will you.”
Vara: “Very good suggestion Merf, I may well do so once we leave.”
Alley is keeping a close eye on Lucius Bile while this all goes on as she suspects that he was present prior to our arrival and a man she wishes to have a long conversation with.
Alley: “Strange how Vara wishes to give up the chase when we are so close. Behind that door is Urstul Floxin and the ‘Teleportation Circle’, which we discovered its existence and know to be somewhere with Yellowspire. It is like she knows that Urstul Floxin or to prevent us from using it.”
The Bard fears that the Paladin does not wish her and Merf to pass on any further. Alley believes that now that they had the ‘Stone of Golorr’, it would be the best time to take it from them an so she prepared to watch the Paladin closely and alert Merf too, just in case.
Alley: “The ‘Bag of Holding’ is in the possession of Merf, as is ALL our other items, and I need to retrieve it from the Halfling sooner rather than later. Some Gold and a kind word, if necessary, should do the trick I think.”03:15 am