Tales from Toril- The Underdark Escapees: Book One, Chapter Forty-Four

Dealing with a Demon Lord

Dramatis Personae:

Lady Claire Callalily Thundersword-Petunia, the Human Wererat Swordcaptain of the Purple Dragon Knights

Riddle, Claire's baby basilisk

Hans, Claire's Basalt Wolf Figurine

Urthstripe. Claire's Alabaster Badger Figurine

Rosebud Goldenrod Petunia, the Halftaur Wererat Berserker, "The Destroyer;" who sees magic where there is none and collects things that aren't there

Lily Trillium Petunia, the Green Dragonborn Lore Bard and Feylock, and mother of the Petunia clan; champion of the Living Dungeon

Astrid Oleander Rockham-Petunia, the Longstrider Shifter Drow Evocation Wizard

Calipso, Astrid's Lizard Raven Familiar
Kazul, the Copper  Platinum Dragonborn Shadow Monk of Bahamut who has fallen from grace

Seluna, the Moon Elf Drow Totem Warrior Circle of the Moon Druid and Silverstar of Selûne

Geophry Cherry Blossom Petunia, the chair that used to be a boy

Flimflam Pebblehead-Petunia, the Deep Gnome Selkie Arcanist who has to collect everything he finds and can't take anything seriously

Alfalfa Cover Petunia, the Halftaur "Crocling" Wererat Fighter, formerly Rosebud's other half who can't take anything seriously and thinks he's the greatest at everything
Shreya, the Githzeri Symbiote

Comrades we have lost:

Ront, the Orc Fighter- turned into hamburger by Pwent

Buppido, the Derro- smashed by Orvald

Eldeth Feldrun, the Shield Dwarf- killed during escape

Hera Adaar, the Abyssal Tiefling Wild Sorceress- swept away

Luna Trelawny, the Human Divination Wizard- skull caved in by rock thrown by Fidget, then finished off by black pudding

Sarith Zekarit, the Drow Scout- drowned

Phillip Johnson, the Human Cleric- in a seemingly irreversible coma, left in Hemeth's care

Jim Jar, the Deep Gnome- eaten by grell

Prince Derendil, the Quaggoth- killed by sea troll

Shuushar, the "Awakened" Kuo-toa- turned into shuushi by sea troll

Hemeth, the Duergar Arms Dealer- parted with group in Gracklstugh met group briefly on route to Mantol Derith for trade

Thimblepwent Battlehammer, the Dwarven Battlerager Barbarian- turned into dog food

Orvald Abershaw, the Mousefolk Barbarian- became a squeaky toy last seen in Bahamutsville under Zin-carla attacked the party at a gateway they found

Zenit 'Dracon, the Drow Fighter- abandoned the party because Orvald died last seen in Bahamutsville attacked the party at a gateway they found

Lythana Belmyr, the Half-Drow Blood Hunter of Eilistraee- sacrificed to Demogorgon

Codsworth, the polite Flumph- shredded by crossbow

Zarrus, the Tiefling Favored Soul Sorcerer of Mephisto- vanished during gnoll fight

Ol' Sparky, the Deep Dragon- last seen thrown into a portal to the Abyss by a glabrezu

Aura, the Air Genasi Storm Sorceress- accidental self-vaporization (bitch blew herself up)

Kyri, the Minotaur Scout- vaporized by a jackass

Fidget Stonegear, the Deep Gnome Inventor- big badda boom 

Miarielle, the Lythari Priestess of Corellon- bigger badda boom

Glabbagool, the Gelatinous Cube- stayed with the kobolds

Kara Reginleif, the Half-Valkyrie Wererat Champion from the Zhentarim- vorpaled to pieces by demon Easter bunnies

Rumpadump, the Myconid Child- frozen by demon Easter bunny was raised by Mezzem and went missing, it is believed that Stool ate him

Sajin Silvertongue, the Deep Gnome Wererat Assassin- got stoned and kissed a pretty Medusa

Yklwa, Tali's Deinonychus animal companion- devoured by corbies

Natali, the Tiger Therinthrope Beastmaster- wished herself home

Roswyn Darkshooter, the Deep Gnome Delver- grick kibble

Mezzem, the Kobold Wererat Priestess of Bahamut- stayed in Blingdenstone

Vadania Nailaza, the Wild Elf Oakroot of Rillifane Rallathil- dust in the wind

Thecker Powdercraft, the Deep Gnome Wererat Gunslinger and Inquisitor of Bahamut- retired in Blingdenstone

Stool, the Myconid Child- stayed in Blingdenstone

Galothel Nightbreeze, the Moon Elf Alchemist- MIA after the Battle of Blingdenstone

Topsy and Turvy Goldwhiskers, the Deep Gnome Wererat Rogue Twins- stayed in Blingdenstone

Twyla Alderleaf, the Moon Elf Scout- MIA after Astrid's wish

Mithrilye, the Sun Elf Entertainer who will do anything to achieve her goals, and believes that anything that can bring her pleasure should be enjoyed immediately, not saved until later- MIA after Astrid's wish, believed to be trapped in the Abyss
Niles Rubusthorn, the Moon Elf Shadow Dancer- stayed on the Material Plane

Amin of Citadel Adbar, the Shield Dwarf Alchemist- stayed on the Material Plane

Lith, the Bronze Dragonborn Scholar- stayed on the Material Plane

Fitzzle, Lith's violet faerie dragon familiar- stayed on the Material Plane
Arwenel, the Elf Scholar- victim of Geophry's tantrum

Friendly Fire: 311

NOTE: Things will be mostly from Claire's perspective, anything with italics is from a third party, since the knight can't be everywhere at once.

***** Nightal 12, 1489 DR (The Year of the Warrior Princess), Astral Sea

       We stood facing the gate that Momma had opened, the room filled with an eerie blue light. We could see some forms around the room on the other side of this gate, and a deep, gravelly voice called out to us "the door is open, you might as well come in. I grant you an audience." I felt compelled to go through the door, and we all filed through the gate together.

     The gate room looked very different from how it was when we had escaped. It was polished to a shine, literally everything in the room was reflective like a mirror. All around the room were small groups of people- mostly drow- engaged in some form of passion. An enormous throne was sitting in the room as well, with a large figure in it who could only be Graz'zt. Two figures were kneeling at his feet, one was Twyla and the other that drow who seemed to have been leading the assault against us.

       Gazing upon Graz'zt led to many minds being shattered. Rosebud now would not rest until he made someone his. Alfie now believes his path is the road to redemption. Claire now thinks that anyone who doesn't do what she says deserves to die. Astrid now thinks that her own pleasure is of paramount importance and anything else is trivial. Flimflam also thinks his path is the road to redemption, and that his own pleasure is the most important thing in the world. 

       Momma told the Demon Lord that Mithrilye, his daughter, was trapped in his realm and that he needed to meet with his patron to help her. Graz'zt barred our way and told us all to enjoy our pleasure. Everyone except Momma and Not-Kazul broke off to do just that. Shreya screamed in terror at the sight of Graz'zt and left Lily. 

       Lily told Graz'zt his entire story, going all the way back to when he had been revived in Blingdenstone. It took a while, but the Demon Lord sat through the bard's entire monologue.

      Suddenly there was a flash of light, and everyone except for us, Graz'zt, Twyla and the drow, and a couple succubi and marilith turned into mirrors. Then with another flash I felt rejuvenated, as if I'd just had a good night's sleep. Graz'zt rose from his throne, drawing two greatswords that were larger than us, and told Momma that if we defeated him he could return to the Abyss and investigate what was happening. Shit. Now we have to fight a fucking Demon Lord.

       First the marilith came in and slashed at Rosebud, while Momma read an scroll that didn't seem to do anything. Graz'zt vanished from in front of his throne, only to reappear in front of Momma and Not-Kazul; he went for Not-Kazul thankfully instead of Momma. Another marilith went for Astrid, and I attempted to use the banish ability on Demon's Mirror, my shield, but nothing happened. Flimflam sent a beam of pure sunlight at the marilith, and three wasps appeared.

       Graz'zt issued a command to the party to grovel, only Astrid and Kazul were able to resist his order. I suddenly felt the need to drop to my knees and grovel at the Demon Lord's feet. He swung his mighty blade at me as I did, but didn't hit me- perhaps he approved of my groveling and decided to let me live. The marilith Flimflam had shot beat on him until he dropped. Graz'zt went for Seluna, who had turned into an air elemental, and completely missed her. Then an illusory pit fiend appeared in the room, Lily called over his shoulder at it to go away before reviving Flimflam.

       Astrid got away from the marilith that was after her, and instead of pursuing her it turned and hit Not-Kazul hard; then she teleported away from it. Alfie and I beat on the marilith and seemed to be hurting her, then Flimflam banished her back to the Abyss. Seluna and Rosebud flew up to Graz'zt, and Seluna seemed to rip into him pretty good. Then he vanished again and was now next to Flimflam and Alfie. Momma opened up the dimension doorway of his, reached in, and pulled Flimflam through it to get him away from Graz'zt. Instead, the Demon Lord began beating on poor Alfie.

       Astrid cast something at Graz'zt before vanishing, and whatever she had done seemed to annoy him. Momma, Not-Kazul, and I were dealing with one of the marilith still, until Graz'zt commanded everyone disrobe; I began struggling to take of my armor, but I knew it would take longer than Graz'zt desired. One of the marilith walked up to Astrid, picked up the staff she'd dropped, and snapped it in half. The concussive force that reverberated throughout the cavern was bone-rattling, and at the end of it both Astrid and the marilith had been vaporized. As badly as I wanted to mourn my friend, I knew that I had a job to do; once the Demon Lord is dead I can be sad about losing Astrid.

       We all finished off that marilith while Alfie stood toe-to-toe with Graz'zt; I guess that shows how much we love the little fucker, we let him be the distraction. Of course Graz'zt dropped him quickly. As the marilith dropped, Rosebud and I were commanded to dance; another command followed that, but it was only for Rosebud: kill Momma. Those of us who weren't being forced to dance began beating on Graz'zt, and he angrily struck back at Seluna.

       The moment the dance command ended, Rosebud threw his hammers at Momma; the resulting anger in Momma's eyes was almost more terrifying than the fucking Demon Lord we were fighting. The command to dance came again, but this time I resisted it; only Seluna was caught by this dance. Graz'zt apparently didn't like our druid, and dealt her a couple of nasty blows that dropped her. Not-Kazul, Flimflam, and I dished out some nasty hits to Graz'zt, and the Demon Lord was actually starting to look hurt. The command Rosebud was under to kill Momma was still going, and he kept going after him instead of the Demon Lord.

       The next command issued was to be gone, and I began moving toward the exit. Flimflam attempted to plane shift us all, but somehow he failed at it. Graz'zt dropped Not-Kazul, but Momma sent out healing to all of us, reviving her, Seluna, and Alfie. Then Rosebud was told if he couldn't kill Momma that he should kill a sibling. Shit. My poor brother dropped Flimflam and went for Alfie next. Graz'zt hit me so hard with his blade that my left arm went flying away. Fuck, that was my shield arm.

       Rosebud killed poor Alfie; sadly this command was one that would be easier for him to follow. Next we were told to fornicate; Seluna moved toward Not-Kazul, but tripped over her own feet instead and face planted. Not-Kazul teleported away from her. Graz'zt was closest to me, so I reached up and began fondling him. While I was groping the Demon Lord, Rosebud came up and swung at me. Before I could do anything, the command to die was issued; I attempted to stab myself, but somehow threw my Rod over my shoulder. Seluna revived Flimflam, and a cluster of orbs appeared around him that began attacking both Graz'zt and Not-Kazul.

       Between Rosebud and Graz'zt's assault on me I felt that death was closing in on me. The Demon Lord decided to next issue a command to masturbate, and I am ashamed to admit that I followed the order. Momma sent his Hand to bitch slap Graz'zt, which was hilarious to see, and Flimflam hit him, me, and Rosebud with a spray of color- it was fucking painful. We all kept hitting Graz'zt with everything we had- except for Rosebud, who seemed determined to kill me. Eventually Flimflam unleashed an acid spell on Graz'zt and he dissolved! Twyla and the drow pet of his screamed in pain as they dissolved too.

       We had won, but at the cost of Astrid, Alfie, and Twyla. And we still hadn't saved Mithrilye.

       When we got back to the Tower, Seluna reincarnated Astrid and Alfie. Alfie now has the hips and legs of an orc, the torso and upper body of a pegasus, and the extremely muscular halfling arms. Momma named him an Orcasus. Astrid was reincarnated as an orc.

***** Nightal 13, Chateau Petunia, outside Neverwinter

       Momma needed to summon his patron to attempt to save Mithrilye, so we all gathered in the lab at the circle. A bunch of tiny fae appeared and began attacking us, but we killed them with ease; though after killing a fucking Demon Lord I think we may see many things as easy to kill. Then a bunch of purple worm thingys appeared and went straight for Momma. Those we also were able to kill with ease. As the last of those died we heard howling, and two large wolves stepped into the circle. Momma's patron began speaking through Lith.

       Momma offered her Graz'zt's sword as an apology for summoning her to us, and asked her permission to use a Fates card to bring Mithrilye back to us. She said she'd accept Momma's request under a few conditions: she wanted the sprocket to the crossbow Fidget had designed, though Rosebud insisted that she take the entire thing. She wanted favors from Momma, Lith, and Mithrilye. Then she told him she wanted his firstborn child- Rosebud. Momma said he needed Rosebud, so she agreed to "loan" Rosebud to Momma for the next hundred years. Momma would only accept if she took Alfie too, though he's only on loan to us for the next fifty years. Momma took the deal, he was determined to save Mithrilye, regardless of the cost.

       We decided that the easiest way to save Mithrilye was to erase the drow ambush at the gate. If the drow got held up, we would have been able to use the portal. Anyone in the circle would remember everything that had happened over the last couple of tendays, those outside would know only the way the events changed. Amin opted to stay out of it for some reason. I tried to convince Not-Kazul to stay out of the circle, pointing out that we were undoing her being lost in the Abyss, which would erase her having killed the unicorn and falling from grace; she didn't think it would work because she's apparently an idiot in addition to being evil.

       Right as before Lith was done speaking what we wanted to undo, Geophry shoved Not-Kazul and I out of the circle, and we couldn't get back in. Shit!

       With Zenit's attack party being held up, the group made it to the gate room and used the gate to get to Gauntlgrym unmolested. Entering the dwarven stronghold from a gate they didn't know existed made their story more believable, and they even met with King Bruenor. 

       Since the drow ambush got held up, they created an Astrid paradox. Technically Astrid never met the party now, so there is another version of her somewhere in the Underdark, still a prisoner and still a shifter. Consequently, this meant that Claire, Kazul, and Amin- the three not in the circle- had never met Astrid. 

       Not going to the Abyss meant Geophry never killed Arwenel, instead she left a few days ago. She started feeling uncomfortable and in the area where she'd died she was getting a feeling of deja vu. 

        Claire had her arm back, though her fingers were gone again, and she had the mechanical hand once more, along with her much missed Rod of Lordly Might. Kazul was no longer evil, and was back to her normal self. Claire had not mailed the letter to Kazul's temple, since she never went missing in the Abyss.

       Twyla and Mithrilye were back in the Tower, safe and sound. When Lily looked out the window he saw that they were in Gauntlgrym. They had been given permission to set up the Tower in the city, since their story was now believable. 

Photo from Out of the Abyss Adventure Module by Wizards of the Coast

*Author's note: Many of the events, locations and characters that occur in this story are from the Out of the Abyss Adventure Module by Wizards of the Coast. Anything with an asterisk next to it is a quote from the book.

Tales from Toril- The Underdark Escapees: Book One, Chapter Forty-Three

A Rescue Required

Dramatis Personae:

Lady Claire Callalily Thundersword-Petunia, the Human Wererat Swordcaptain of the Purple Dragon Knights

Riddle, Claire's baby basilisk

Hans, Claire's Basalt Wolf Figurine

Urthstripe. Claire's Alabaster Badger Figurine

Rosebud Goldenrod Petunia, the Halftaur Wererat Berserker, "The Destroyer;" who sees magic where there is none and collects things that aren't there

Lily Trillium Petunia, the Green Dragonborn Lore Bard, and mother of the Petunia clan; champion of the Living Dungeon

Astrid Oleander Rockham-Petunia, the Longstrider Shifter Drow Evocation Wizard

Calipso, Astrid's Lizard Raven Familiar
Kazul, the Copper  Platinum Dragonborn Shadow Monk of Bahamut who has fallen from grace

Seluna, the Moon Elf Drow Totem Warrior Circle of the Moon Druid and Silverstar of Selûne

Flimflam Pebblehead-Petunia, the Deep Gnome Selkie Arcanist who has to collect everything he finds

Alfalfa Cover Petunia, the Halftaur "Crocling" Wererat Fighter, formerly Rosebud's other half who can't take anything seriously and thinks he's the greatest at everything
Shreya, the Githzeri Symbiote

Comrades we have lost:

Ront, the Orc Fighter- turned into hamburger by Pwent

Buppido, the Derro- smashed by Orvald

Eldeth Feldrun, the Shield Dwarf- killed during escape

Hera Adaar, the Abyssal Tiefling Wild Sorceress- swept away

Luna Trelawny, the Human Divination Wizard- skull caved in by rock thrown by Fidget, then finished off by black pudding

Sarith Zekarit, the Drow Scout- drowned

Phillip Johnson, the Human Cleric- in a seemingly irreversible coma, left in Hemeth's care

Jim Jar, the Deep Gnome- eaten by grell

Prince Derendil, the Quaggoth- killed by sea troll

Shuushar, the "Awakened" Kuo-toa- turned into shuushi by sea troll

Hemeth, the Duergar Arms Dealer- parted with group in Gracklstugh met group briefly on route to Mantol Derith for trade

Thimblepwent Battlehammer, the Dwarven Battlerager Barbarian- turned into dog food

Orvald Abershaw, the Mousefolk Barbarian- became a squeaky toy last seen in Bahamutsville under Zin-carla attacked the party at a gateway they found

Zenit 'Dracon, the Drow Fighter- abandoned the party because Orvald died last seen in Bahamutsville attacked the party at a gateway they found

Lythana Belmyr, the Half-Drow Blood Hunter of Eilistraee- sacrificed to Demogorgon

Codsworth, the polite Flumph- shredded by crossbow

Zarrus, the Tiefling Favored Soul Sorcerer of Mephisto- vanished during gnoll fight

Ol' Sparky, the Deep Dragon- last seen thrown into a portal to the Abyss by a glabrezu

Aura, the Air Genasi Storm Sorceress- accidental self-vaporization (bitch blew herself up)

Kyri, the Minotaur Scout- vaporized by a jackass

Fidget Stonegear, the Deep Gnome Inventor- big badda boom 

Miarielle, the Lythari Priestess of Corellon- bigger badda boom

Glabbagool, the Gelatinous Cube- stayed with the kobolds

Kara Reginleif, the Half-Valkyrie Wererat Champion from the Zhentarim- vorpaled to pieces by demon Easter bunnies

Rumpadump, the Myconid Child- frozen by demon Easter bunny was raised by Mezzem and went missing, it is believed that Stool ate him

Sajin Silvertongue, the Deep Gnome Wererat Assassin- got stoned and kissed a pretty Medusa

Yklwa, Tali's Deinonychus animal companion- devoured by corbies

Natali, the Tiger Therinthrope Beastmaster- wished herself home

Roswyn Darkshooter, the Deep Gnome Delver- grick kibble

Mezzem, the Kobold Wererat Priestess of Bahamut- stayed in Blingdenstone

Vadania Nailaza, the Wild Elf Oakroot of Rillifane Rallathil- dust in the wind

Thecker Powdercraft, the Deep Gnome Wererat Gunslinger and Inquisitor of Bahamut- retired in Blingdenstone

Stool, the Myconid Child- stayed in Blingdenstone

Galothel Nightbreeze, the Moon Elf Alchemist- MIA after the Battle of Blingdenstone

Topsy and Turvy Goldwhiskers, the Deep Gnome Wererat Rogue Twins- stayed in Blingdenstone

Twyla Alderleaf, the Moon Elf Scout- MIA after Astrid's wish

Mithrilye, the Sun Elf Entertainer who will do anything to achieve her goals, and believes that anything that can bring her pleasure should be enjoyed immediately, not saved until later- MIA after Astrid's wish, believed to be trapped in the Abyss
Niles Rubusthorn, the Moon Elf Shadow Dancer- stayed on the Material Plane

Amin of Citadel Adbar, the Shield Dwarf Alchemist- stayed on the Material Plane

Lith, the Bronze Dragonborn Scholar- stayed on the Material Plane

Fitzzle, Lith's violet faerie dragon familiar- stayed on the Material Plane
Arwenel, the Elf Scholar- victim of Geophry's tantrum
Geophry Cherry Blossom Petunia, the chair that used to be a boy

Friendly Fire: 298

NOTE: Things will be mostly from Claire's perspective, anything with italics is from a third party, since the knight can't be everywhere at once.

***** Nightal 10, 1489 DR (The Year of the Warrior Princess), Astral Sea aboard Abyssal Kestral

       Momma began flying around to see if he could find Alfie and Astrid, and he sent Rosebud to see if the owlbear was in the room Olos'nah had last seen him in. The owlbear was dead, so he grabbed the corpse to feed it to the ship. On his way to do that though, my brother fell overboard- thankfully in the Astral Sea there's no ground for him to hit. Momma saw him and went to grab him, but they fumbled and slammed into the side of the ship; it was kind of funny to watch. After a few moments they finally made it back on board. Olos'nah didn't seem to care much about the dead owlbear, only the circlet he'd been wearing. Momma realized that the circlet contained the soul of the brother, and the owlbear was just possessed by him.

       Astrid and Alfie found each other, right before getting picked up by a different ship in the Astral Sea and being taken prisoner aboard that boat. The friendly voice of a woman came to Astrid, introducing herself as Shreya, and she told Astrid she wanted to help her get free. Astrid told her to find Momma, that Momma could rescue her if she knew where they were.

       Olos'nah said he couldn't get us back to the Abyss right now, that he needed to use the energy his ship had to repair it. If we wanted to get back to the Abyss we'd need to get him some souls.

       Lily suddenly found himself to be in a mental battle with some entity. The being slipped through his mental defenses and asked if he was "Omma," saying she had a message from Astrid; she showed him the direction Astrid and Alfie were in. Lily was skeptical and asked who this person in his head was.

       Suddenly a woman appeared on the deck next to Momma. She introduced herself as Shreya and said she could help us find Astrid and Alfie. They had been taken captive by a geth raiding party and she knew exactly where they were at.

       I went to find Flimflam to see if he could help us in finding our missing siblings. He was in the room we'd been given, and when I came in he told me that "my lizard" was creeping him out; she'd been meditating all this time, but to him she was just staring blankly at the walls. I told him she wasn't my lizard, and asked if he would help us locate our missing siblings. Flimflam not only told me no, he turned into a seal, slapped me with his flipper, and walked out. I rolled my eyes, threw a blanket over Not-Kazul, and donned my armor.

       Lily began to formulate a plan to find his children, and Shreya told him she knew where he could get souls to fix the ship with: the geth on the ship who had taken Astrid and Alfie prisoner would provide fuel for the Abyssal Kestral. 

       When I was finally done getting my armor back on and gathering my weapons, I discovered that Flimflam had locked me in the room. That little shit! I started banging on the door, hoping both that Momma would hear me, and that Not-Kazul wouldn't.

       Lily heard Claire banging on the door, and learned that Flimflam had locked her in the room. But he hadn't used a normal lock to do so, he'd put an arcane lock on a chair and shoved it under the doorknob. Lily told him to go let Claire out, so Flimflam moved the chair, and placed it so it was now completely blocking Claire from getting up the stairs. 

       I stumbled as the door finally opened, but there was an oddly positioned chair blocking my way now, and I couldn't move it. I began hacking at it with my sword, until Momma heard me, and made Flimflam give me the password that would allow me to move the chair. Whether adopted or biological, brothers are pains in the ass. Once the stupid chair was moved, Momma woke up Not-Kazul- I was a little disappointed, I really didn't want to interact with her at all right now. Or ever. Tempted as I was, I knew Momma wouldn't let me leave her in the Astral Sea.

       We spent the rest of the day traveling, and eventually caught up to the ship my siblings were on. Olos'nah told us he could get us right in front of the other ship, but only if we could get him souls; that maneuver would use up all of the remaining power the ship had, and it would go dark. The entire universe seemed to lurch as the ship was unstitched from reality, and then restitched to be right behind a rock that was in front of the other ship; the move made me sick.

       Momma did a spell to try to get us all some extra armor, but it didn't work on me for some reason. Then Momma and Flimflam used that dimension spell to get to the other ship. Seluna turned Not-Kazul and I into squirrels, and herself into a cat, and we all rode over to the other ship on an invisible Rosebud.

       Lily and Flimflam appeared right outside of the cells Astrid and Alfie were in, and Flimflam summoned two Hands to open the doors. It didn't work though, they were magically reinforced. Lily used the knock spell and both cells sprang open. 

       As Rosebud landed on the deck, he hit the shield of one of the crew members. They all jumped and looked around, confused; their confusion was even worse when two squirrels and a cat appeared and began attacking them. Their mage ended Rosebud's invisibility, and he used the mist step that Flimflam uses all the time to get away from Not-Kazul's sharp little nails. I tore into the captain with my razor-sharp nails, and the ass threw me onto the deck of the ship, turning me back into myself before he stabbed me.

       Rosebud threw his hammer at the mage, caving in his skull. Guess we won't have to worry about too much magic- I hope. Lily opened up the doors to the brig so that Flimflam could send his Hands through, they killed one guy each. Bolts of gray energy came swarming out of the doors behind Flimflam's Hands, slamming into a guy- who seemed to shrug it off; that's worrisome. Momma sent a volley of magic darts at him, and those hurt the guy.

       The geth began to swarm me, at least a dozen of them, and a couple hit me really hard, breaking a couple of ribs. I shook it off, got up and killed their captain and one of the guys who had just hit me. I saw a few of them hit Flimflam; the attacks Flimflam received were enough to break his fragile mind, he can no longer take anything seriously. Rosebud, Seluna, Not-Kazul, and I were exchanging blows with them, dropping them all methodically, but taking some heavy hits in return, Momma used dragon breath to kill the ones who were hitting Flimflam, and Astrid dropped a fireball on us. But it somehow didn't hurt me, Rosebud, Seluna, or Not-Kazul. Flimflam could really learn something from her.

       One of the few geth left went for Astrid, and Alfie came out to gnaw on him- killing that geth. I wiped out the last three on me, and Rosebud killed the last one on him. We had done it. Astrid and Alfie were safe, and we were able to collect a lot of souls for Olos'nah to repair the ship.

       In exchange for help rescuing my siblings, Momma had agreed to help Shreya rescue her friend who had been taken to a geth outpost. It would take us about two days to get there, and in the meantime we'd doctor up the ship we'd just taken to make it look like it had been in a heavy battle. When we got closer Astrid would animate the corpses on board to make the crew size look normal. We'd all be on board and could sail straight into their base.

***** Nightal 12, Astral Sea aboard Abyssal Kestral

       Our plan for the geth outpost was pretty solid. I would ride over to them on Rosebud, who would be invisible, then Alfie, Seluna, and Not-Kazul would follow us as flying snakes. Flimflam and Astrid would stay on the ghost ship for ranged crowd control, and Momma said he'd make his own way over to us. Shreya told us that about two-thirds of the outpost would be below deck, so Flimflam could easily take them out with a fireball. When the doors opened Astrid and Flimflam would unleash hell on them. It sounded like a pretty solid plan.

      When we got there, the ship at the outpost was asking why we were back so early. Momma pretended to be the captain and told them we'd been attacked by raiders and were badly in need of repairs. The others went to get their commander while the rest of us got into position. Flimflam put two delayed-blast fireballs in a glass bottle and popped over to the other ship, opening the doors and tossing in the fireballs right as they were about to go off. The explosion was incredible!

       Astrid unleashed chain lightning on the cluster on the deck killing two of them. The rest of us polished them off before they could even attempt to defend themselves. It was incredible. Then we just had to deal with the people in the building, which I hoped would go as smoothly as this had.

       Flimflam dropped two Hands on the outpost, using one to block the doors the guard should be coming out of, and the other to swat one of the guards who was outside. Then he began moving the ship up to the outpost deck so we could unleash Astrid's zombies on them. Flimflam followed the zombies while riding a bear- I don't know where he got the bear, and I'm pretty sure I do not want to.

      There were two sets of doors on the little deck of the outpost, one that Flimflam was blocking, and another set. Momma opened up those doors, allowing Flimflam to unleash fire breath, right before Astrid tossed a fireball into the room, dropping poor Flimflam. Since I was still riding Rosebud, we continued working in concert to smash anyone who came near us. Not-Kazul had gone into the little room, making every single guard inside go for her, it was not a surprise when she went down. We were making quick work of the guys over here when a green ray punched through the wall and hit Astrid; she seemed very disoriented by the spell, but didn't go down.

       Astrid's zombies began attacking, but it was hard to tell how they were faring. Seluna revived Flimflam, and he tossed into the other room a massive chain lightning, then set them on fire. Astrid screamed into the room, and then was hit by a bunch of the guards as she moved out of the doorway; she went down. Momma put a wall of wind up to block the doorway, so the only way the guards in the other room could get to us was through the small opening they'd created in the wall. After exchanging more blows with the guards, finally there was only a tiny amount left. Flimflam dropped an ice storm on them, and I used the whip function on my Rod to go for the one who seemed to be in charge. We all finished them off very quickly.

       We found the body of Shreya's friend in a little cell, but before we could actually break the news to her, Momma discovered one of the strange circular gates like the one we'd accidentally called Graz'zt through. The runes began to light up on it, reinforcements were coming. Momma did the only thing he could think of and dialed out on the gate; the problem was the only gate address he knew was the one in that cavern. I hoped Graz'zt wasn't still in that chamber.

Photo owned by Wizards of the Coast

*Author's note: Many of the events, locations and characters that occur in this story are from the Out of the Abyss Adventure Module by Wizards of the Coast. Anything with an asterisk next to it is a quote from the book.

Tales from Toril- The Underdark Escapees: Book One, Chapter Forty-Two

Into the Abyss Part 3:
Mansion Mishaps

Dramatis Personae:

Lady Claire Callalily Thundersword-Petunia, the Human Wererat Swordcaptain of the Purple Dragon Knights

Riddle, Claire's baby basilisk

Hans, Claire's Basalt Wolf Figurine

Urthstripe. Claire's Alabaster Badger Figurine

Rosebud Goldenrod Petunia, the Halftaur Wererat Berserker, "The Destroyer;" who sees magic where there is none and collects things that aren't there

Lily Trillium Petunia, the Green Dragonborn Lore Bard, and mother of the Petunia clan; champion of the Living Dungeon

Astrid Oleander Rockham-Petunia, the Longstrider Shifter Drow Evocation Wizard

Calipso, Astrid's Lizard Raven Familiar
Kazul, the Copper  Platinum Dragonborn Shadow Monk of Bahamut who has fallen from grace

Seluna, the Moon Elf Drow Totem Warrior Circle of the Moon Druid and Silverstar of Selûne

Flimflam Pebblehead-Petunia, the Deep Gnome Selkie Arcanist who has to collect everything he finds

Alfalfa Cover Petunia, the Halftaur "Crocling" Wererat Fighter, formerly Rosebud's other half who can't take anything seriously and thinks he's the greatest at everything

Comrades we have lost:

Ront, the Orc Fighter- turned into hamburger by Pwent

Buppido, the Derro- smashed by Orvald

Eldeth Feldrun, the Shield Dwarf- killed during escape

Hera Adaar, the Abyssal Tiefling Wild Sorceress- swept away

Luna Trelawny, the Human Divination Wizard- skull caved in by rock thrown by Fidget, then finished off by black pudding

Sarith Zekarit, the Drow Scout- drowned

Phillip Johnson, the Human Cleric- in a seemingly irreversible coma, left in Hemeth's care

Jim Jar, the Deep Gnome- eaten by grell

Prince Derendil, the Quaggoth- killed by sea troll

Shuushar, the "Awakened" Kuo-toa- turned into shuushi by sea troll

Hemeth, the Duergar Arms Dealer- parted with group in Gracklstugh met group briefly on route to Mantol Derith for trade

Thimblepwent Battlehammer, the Dwarven Battlerager Barbarian- turned into dog food

Orvald Abershaw, the Mousefolk Barbarian- became a squeaky toy last seen in Bahamutsville under Zin-carla attacked the party at a gateway they found

Zenit 'Dracon, the Drow Fighter- abandoned the party because Orvald died last seen in Bahamutsville attacked the party at a gateway they found

Lythana Belmyr, the Half-Drow Blood Hunter of Eilistraee- sacrificed to Demogorgon

Codsworth, the polite Flumph- shredded by crossbow

Zarrus, the Tiefling Favored Soul Sorcerer of Mephisto- vanished during gnoll fight

Ol' Sparky, the Deep Dragon- last seen thrown into a portal to the Abyss by a glabrezu

Aura, the Air Genasi Storm Sorceress- accidental self-vaporization (bitch blew herself up)

Kyri, the Minotaur Scout- vaporized by a jackass

Fidget Stonegear, the Deep Gnome Inventor- big badda boom 

Miarielle, the Lythari Priestess of Corellon- bigger badda boom

Glabbagool, the Gelatinous Cube- stayed with the kobolds

Kara Reginleif, the Half-Valkyrie Wererat Champion from the Zhentarim- vorpaled to pieces by demon Easter bunnies

Rumpadump, the Myconid Child- frozen by demon Easter bunny was raised by Mezzem and went missing, it is believed that Stool ate him

Sajin Silvertongue, the Deep Gnome Wererat Assassin- got stoned and kissed a pretty Medusa

Yklwa, Tali's Deinonychus animal companion- devoured by corbies

Natali, the Tiger Therinthrope Beastmaster- wished herself home

Roswyn Darkshooter, the Deep Gnome Delver- grick kibble

Mezzem, the Kobold Wererat Priestess of Bahamut- stayed in Blingdenstone

Vadania Nailaza, the Wild Elf Oakroot of Rillifane Rallathil- dust in the wind

Thecker Powdercraft, the Deep Gnome Wererat Gunslinger and Inquisitor of Bahamut- retired in Blingdenstone

Stool, the Myconid Child- stayed in Blingdenstone

Galothel Nightbreeze, the Moon Elf Alchemist- MIA after the Battle of Blingdenstone

Topsy and Turvy Goldwhiskers, the Deep Gnome Wererat Rogue Twins- stayed in Blingdenstone

Twyla Alderleaf, the Moon Elf Scout- MIA after Astrid's wish

Mithrilye, the Sun Elf Entertainer who will do anything to achieve her goals, and believes that anything that can bring her pleasure should be enjoyed immediately, not saved until later- MIA after Astrid's wish, believed to be trapped in the Abyss
Niles Rubusthorn, the Moon Elf Shadow Dancer- stayed on the Material Plane

Amin of Citadel Adbar, the Shield Dwarf Alchemist- stayed on the Material Plane

Lith, the Bronze Dragonborn Scholar- stayed on the Material Plane

Fitzzle, Lith's violet faerie dragon familiar- stayed on the Material Plane
Arwenel, the Elf Scholar- victim of Geophry's tantrum
Geophry Cherry Blossom Petunia, the chair that used to be a boy- banished to the Material Plane

Party members killed: 25

Overall party members lost: 40

NOTE: Things will be mostly from Claire's perspective, anything with italics is from a third party, since the knight can't be everywhere at once.

***** Nightal 10, 1489 DR (The Year of the Warrior Princess), Azzagrat, 45th Layer, aboard the Abyssal Kestral

       Momma and I decided we needed to discuss the plans with the captain, and perhaps strike a better deal with him that would get us free. Rosebud came with us, and Seluna attempted to keep Flimflam in our room in the ship, but he threw a fit and followed anyways. It's no wonder Geophry gets along with him so well.

       We learned the captain's name was Olos'nah, and that he wanted mortal souls in exchange for helping us; apparently demon souls weren't worth quite as much. We wanted to arrange a double-cross, where Olos'nah would take us to a bounty office that's easy to escape from, and then aid us in getting away. In return for his aid, Olos'nah wanted us to work for him on the Material Plane, we would collect for him the souls of the people we killed, and after each member of the Petunia family had gathered twenty-five souls, our debt would be paid. He gave us each a crystal, which we were to touch someone with after killing them, but we had a very short window to do so before their souls went to their God, or the Wall.

       Seluna had apparently already negotiated with him for her freedom, so Not-Kazul was the only one who hadn't tried, because she didn't care. He said if she wanted in on the deal, she'd have to pay two thousand souls, the amount her bounty was worth. She had dropped into meditation as soon as we got back from killing the demon treant, and hadn't budged since. Not that I cared.

       Since we wouldn't have our weapons or armor on us when we escaped from the bounty office, Momma decided we needed to spar for practice, so Astrid cast a spell she called Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion, which created a massive mansion full of food and servants for us. The place was incredible, the walls were fish tanks with tons of tropical fish swimming through them, but since it was magic you couldn't see what was on the other side of the wall. She set up a training room in the house, and we all began practicing what we could do unarmed, with no armor or anything.

       Flimflam thought the fish were plotting to kill him, so he cast the spell himself, wanting to go to his own mansion. Astrid felt the edges of her spell begin to bulge, she tried to stop it, but wasn't quick enough. Suddenly Momma, Flimflam, and I were back in the room on the ship, and no one else was anywhere to be seen.

       When Flimflam had cast his spell, he had tried to open an extradimensional space inside an already existing extradimensional space, creating the same reaction that occurs when you put a bag of holding inside another bag of holding. The entire ship had been shunted to the Astral Plane. Everyone who wasn't in the room was within fifty feet of the ship- except for Alfie and Astrid. Astrid and Alfie were lost, floating in the "Astral Sea," a gray expanse of nothingness. 

       We went up top and discovered we were now in a large gray expanse, which Momma said was the Astral Sea. The others were "swimming" to us, and the ship was badly damaged. The ship was adrift and Olos'nah said it was now in dire need of repairs. We searched, but saw no sign of Astrid or Alfie. I prayed we'd find Astrid.

Image courtesy of thecampaign20xx.blogspot.com

*Author's note: Many of the events, locations and characters that occur in this story are from the Out of the Abyss Adventure Module by Wizards of the Coast. Anything with an asterisk next to it is a quote from the book.