Welcome to the second installment of "The Sponge Quorum" series: "The Tunnels of Abarack" and to the first part of a trilogy of stories titled: "The Legend of Aramam!"
DISCLAIMER: as far as I know, the horla is an invention that belongs to Johnathan Stroud, author of the terrific "Bartimaeus Trilogy".
To those who are new to the series I urge to go back and read "The Sponge Quorum I- The Beginning" in order to get acquainted with the mediocre and inept members of the gang:
Islan Felanus: a stubborn paladin with a constant need to uphold the law under any circumstances which has led not once to hilarious situations.
Gilbert Apelycus: a good natured dwarven cleric with an unfortunate tendency to both sarcasm and philosophy.
Aradiln Thydinal: a usually mild tempered Elvin druid who has been known to have sudden bursts of anger due to his lackluster abilities.
Grud Toornick: a gnome rogue with fingers that wouldn't be stickier if he covered them with glue.
Lyra Tiberleon: a lovely and agile young warrior- she actually volunteered to join the quorum.
Demorish Sarlar: a silent and taciturn wizard who covers his real features with illusions- you could die right in front of him and he wouldn't care.
Seriously- this story is a direct sequal to "The Beginning" and shouldn't be read without having completed its predecessor.
A few technical notes…
1. The monster Locathath has had its name and personality reworked a bit in my world. It's new name is Localoth and it is slightly more militaristic.
2. The great druids of Gaiapalego don't just die, rather turn into trees, therefore living forever as plants.
3. The chief cleric and the grand druid of Lyrasia are the central leaders of the clerics and druids (respectively) of the continent.
Now.. what does the future hold for our unfortunate adventurers? The king of Lyrasia needs their help with something, but behind the scenes lies something else… this is the beginning of something far greater…
Of course I thank my beta'er (Aradiln Thydinal's player) and to the rest of the players in the real-life D&D group- without you this story would be filled with more plot holes than Swiss cheese!
And now, on with the story!