A/N: And here's the next chapter! who's ready for a new adventure?
Disclaimer: I don't own Dungeons and Dragons. I only own my original ideas.
Chapter 38: The Archmage's Lost Hideaway
After a few days spent in the area around Vorlianax's lair, it was time for us to get on our way again. I felt like I'd been bettered spending some time here, benefiting from the Volnianax's knowledge. We said our goodbyes to our hosts, and to Garurt as well, and we were off. Our path took us further down the road, and about a week later we arrived in a town which wasn't on the map. According to the sign at the edge of town, this was the village of Northswold. The villagers didn't pay us much mind, other than some leery glances at me. I noticed that several villagers were gathered around the remains of a fire. Within the ashes there were the remnants to some sort of creature I didn't recognize.
"Ah, travelers!" said a older man as he approached, "you look to be the adventureous sort, am I correct?"
"That we are," said Charles, "Is there something you need?"
"You see there's a legend in this area, that of powerful and fear mage known as Deldrammon. Most information about him has passed into rumor, but the signs of his presence are still out there," said the village Elder, "The tales tell that Deldrammon was quite skilled in planar magic, creating a sanctuary for himself somewhere out there. all that remains of the wizard's tower now are crumbling ruins, but it is possible that a portal of some sort within these ruins".
"Would that have anything to do with the creature within the bonfire?" asked Lydratir.
"That would be correct," said the village elder, "We're not sure what it is, but it is clearly something Fiendish. I would ask you to travel to the ruins of the Deldrammon's Tower, and seal whatever portals may be there".
As I listened, I didn't detect any signs of deception in his words or expression. It seemed he was being truthful.
"Very well," I said, "we will explore these ruins for you. Do you mind if we ask around town first?"
"Of course not," said the village Elder, "the tower itself is not hard to find: just follow the road through the forest to the west".
My companions asked around town, but it mostly just reconfirmed what the village elder had said, and didn't tell us anything new. Soon enough we set off down the road, heading into the forest. The journey took most of a day, and as we crested a ridge, there it was: The trail we'd been following terminated at the remains of what must have once been a grand tower. A sizeable square base still exists, but none of the walls were intact and nature had started to reclaim the area. The ground was littered with fallen rubble, briars, and thick patches of weeds, meaning it would be slow going.
We stepped into these ruins, picking our way carefully past the fallen stonework. Suddenly the wall next to Narcrath and I crumbled down leaving us to quickly dodge away. As the stone fell the reason was revealed: a large, and rather angry Owlbear!
Lydratir reacted quickly, deftly planting two arrows into the owlbear. Krisyra lauched an icy spell at the owlbear, but it shook off the effects. Charles moved up to the Owlbear, and swung at it. His first swing just glanced off, but the second one was successful. Narcrath summoned a chromatic orb of lightning, and fired it at the owlbear. I tore into the owlbear with my claws, leaving it in bad shape, but it wasn't down yet. The Owlbear tried to strike back at me, but its claws couldn't find purchase, and neither could its beak. Lydratir raised his bow again, and fired off another shot, finishing off the owlbear.
As the dust settled we searched the area, but there was nothing here. We moved past the ruined walls, and into eastern side of the ruins. The crumbling walls outlined what may have once been a bedchamber or study. Stunted shrubs twisted their way through heaps of rotted wood that may have once been furniture. We searched this area as well, moving the ruined furnature sending some harmless black beetles scurrying away.
"Hey there's a key here!" said Krisyra.
She retrieved a large iron key that had become partially buried in the soil. However, there didn't seem to be anything here that the key might open. We continued searching the rooms, soon coming to the south central room. This appeared to have once been an important chamber. The northern wall was covered in moss, and a path of flagstones, oddly devoid of weeds, led towards the eastern wall. Charles brushed the moss form the northern wall, revealing a faded fresco. It depicted a robed man standing on a flagstone path, much like the one in this chamber. The figure was holding an ornate staff above his head with both hands. The person depicted appeared human, had a neatly trimmed beard, and a stern expression on his face.
"Well, this is something," said Lydratir, "Any ideas?"
"I have one," said Narcrath.
He stepped over to the western end of the flagstone path, and moved towards the eastern wall. When he did, a glowing, diamond-shaped outline appeared on the wall.
"That seems to done something," said Narcrath.
I moved over and touched the glowing area of the wall. it was still as solid as ever.
"Hmm… maybe if I do this?" said Narcrath.
He pulled out his quarterstaff and held it over his head in the same manner as depicted in the fresco. When he did, the diamond-shaped outline filled with grey mist.
"It looks like that village elder was right," said Narcrath, "this definitely some form of planar gate. I don't see a way to seal it from this side. Most likely the wizard who created it put the anchor one the other side. If we wish to seal it, we'll have to go in".
"What do you say?" I asked, "Do we do it? I vote we do"
"We made a promise to the village," said Lydratir, "besides, if what we heard is true, there's a risk fiendish creatures could use this portal for their own fell purposes. We go in".
"Agreed, we need to prevent this from getting any worse," said Krisyra.
"Whatever you decide, I'm with you," said Charles.
"I'm all for it," said Narcrath, "we've already opened the door, we should go through and close it permanently".
The decision was made: together, the five of us entered the portal to whatever lay beyond.
A/N: And there we go! Next time, our heroes emerge on the far side of the portal... but where are they?