Session XX: The Grim Death Of Geddleesmote Hammersend

After defeating the dark Priest of the Black Church and his guardians, the party recovered the Crimson Skull of Yam Gregak. With some of the party having healed from battle, they continued to explore the remainder of the ruined temple as they made their way to the exit.

They found a locked room and with keys lifted from the dead priest they opened the door to his quarters. Searching the room they found a secret door with a chest of jewels and a staff. Giving the staff to Gnarly the Druid to hold onto they decide to make their way out and back to Caladan to return to Father Halford the Crimson Skull. But Gnarly seemed to become quite disgruntled and moody. Thinking that the cause of his moodiness may be coming from the staff, Geedlee buries the staff in a sack along with his treasure.

Leaving the room they see in the shadows of the corridor a statue. Debating if they should backtrack and avoid it Skwanky made their decision for them and tried to run past it. The statue lifted it's arm and from it's fingertips spewed forth molten rock badly burning the little halfling and sending him into unconsciousness.

The party moved in to attack the statue and rescue their companion. Wolfheir started hacking away at it while Nadrak advanced to heal the poor halfling. Geedleesmote, not realizing how hurt he actually was from the previous battle with the shadows and gargoyles, tied a noose in hopes of roping the and bringing down the statue. After a failed attempt the statue raised his arm and molten rock burst from his fingertips, engulfing the dwarf in flame and killing him.

Gnarly, shocked at the fall of his companion, awakened out of his stupor and aids in the battle.

Eventually, between Wolfheir and the Druid, the statue was brought to the the ground and defeated.

Skwanky was healed by Nadrak's potion but there was no hope for the burnt and battered body of the dwarf. Wolfheir, having had quite enough of that ruined temple, finally convinces his comrades to head back to Caladan to fulfill their debt to Father Halford. The party agreed and they made their way back to the entrance with the body of Gedleesmote.

Awaiting them was Tibag who had moved the camp into the shelter of the temple as the frigid dreary weather took a turn for the worse and began to sleet. They decided to spend the night in the shelter of the temple and each took their turn at the watch. However, as the morning broke the party discovered that Gnarly and his Mushroom-man have disappeared and had trekked off into Harrowood.

The party quickly gather their belongings and, along with the body of the dead dwarf, headed out into the rain to follow the trail of the moody druid. But as the day progresses, the trail was lost and so is Gnarly. Soon the party breaks through the edge of the forest as dusk approaches.

In the rugged plains beyond, they spied a number of roaming Pegasi. Skwanky attempted to approach them by they let into the air and flew away. As they began to make camp on the edge of the woods, Slick Vinny informed the gullible halfling that he may have caught leprosy from the Pegasi and that to cure himself of the disease Skwanky would have to have sexual relations with a toad! As Skwanky pressed the wily wizard for more information, an armored traveller approached. Questioning this newcomer, they found that his name was Televan, devotee of the Lord of Dreams; Morpheus and who has traveled from the village of Blackmoor. Televan warns them of a witch in the woods.

The party invites Televan into their camp to share in their meal. In repayment, the priest heals the halfling from his earlier battle though his scars remain.

As the sun sets, they noticed in the distance a glow of firelight. Thinking it may be the witch with a cure for his "leprosy", Skwanky went running off towards it. The others, not wanting to abandon their impulsive friend follow and soon come upon a small pig farm. As they knock on the door they were greeted by a grizzled old hag who invites them in. This friendly old cron, Helgrid, offers the party stew. Helgrid claims to be from Amazonia and is a priestess of the Goddess. She has been foretold of their coming, most notable, Adara.

Helgrid informs Adara that the dreams she has been having were from the Goddess herself. These dreams were clues to a quest that the Goddess has bestowed upon Adara as repayment when the Ranger asked the gods for help to get her out of a drunken predicament. The Goddess heard her call and aided Adara. Now Adara must now seek an artifact of the long dead Dark Paladin Usk'Tor; his Shield of the Dark Sun and destroy it.

Helgrid said that Adara should be honored that the Goddess would bestow upon her a quest of such import!

Helgrid invited Adara to spend the night in her shack while the rest of the party were invited to sleep with the pigs.

In the morning, Helgrid was gone and the party was healed of all wounds.