A/N: And here's the next chapter! into the secret hideaway!

Disclaimer: I don't own Dungeons and Dragons. I only own my original ideas.

Chapter 39: The Hideaway

We emerged from the swirling mist into a brightly lit, nearly circular chamber of gray stone. To either side of us were long benches, flanked by tall urns and four suits of plate mail atop low pedestals. The suits are ornate, with fluted features and horned helmets.

As we began to move into the room, a strange wave of energy washed over us, and I felt something shift within me. I shook my head, but something still felt off. (1)

"What was that?" I asked.

"No idea," said Narcrath, "I think I'm alright, though".

As I looked back where we came from, the portal was gone, and in its place was an arcane sigil, which I recognized as a symbol for desire. With no other option, we began heading east towards this rooms only exit. We were interrupted by a loud clank as the two suits of armor closer to the door sprung to life. Within their helmets, there was nothing but a blue glow.

One of the helmed horrors stepped forwards towards Lydratir. It took two swings at him with its battleaxe, but he evaded both strikes, the other Helmed Horror moved up to Charles, but its axe just bounced off his armor. Narcrath summoned a chromatic orb, and fired it as an orb of thunder at the Helmed Horror near Laydratir. Krisyra launched a flame at the Helmed Horror near Charles, but it just slashed on the armor. Lydratir struck back at the Helmed Horror, using is rapier to make two precise blows. Charles took two swings at the Helmed Horror before him, but only one found purchase. I moved around, and took a swipe with my claws at the Helmed Horror on Lydratir, but they just glanced off. I felt an unfamiliar spark of rage within me and tore into the Helmed Horror with my teeth. I tore away some of the armor, but it remained standing.

The Helmed Horror near Lydratir took two more swings it him and this time one of the swings hit. The Helmed Horror near Charles had similar luck, striking him one time. Narcrath approached the Helmed Horror near Charles, and bashed it with his quarterstaff. Krisyra blasted the Helmed Horror near Charles again with fire, this time doing some damage. Lydratir struck at the Helmed Horror before him with great precision, taking it out. Charles brought his greatsword around, striking to solid blows against the Helmed Horror. I tore into the remaining Helmed Horror, my mind still reveling in the destruction… I shook, my head again attempted the clear these violent thoughts.

The Helmed Horror swung at Charles once more, hitting him twice. Narcrath attempted to strike the Helmed Horror, but his blow just glanced off. Krisyra launched off another blast of fire, resulting in the Helmed Horror crumbling into a pile of armor.

"I… something's not right in here," I said, "I think, whatever that wave of energy was that washed over us is affecting us somehow. We should be careful, but get through here as soon as possible. I don't like this place".

While most of my companions looked on in concern, Charles narrowed his eyes as if suspicious of something.

We continued down the corridor to the east, soon coming to a side path off to the left. We decided to check it out before moving on. We arrived in a small, triangular room containing two wardrobes, a padded chair, and several low tables. To the east and west extending off this chamber were narrow hallway lined with many hanging robes. The furniture was of fine quality, Inside the wardrobes were a variety of garments, all of good quality but mundane. In the northern wardrobe, Narcrath came across a tiny leather pouch full of some sort of powder.

"I'll have to examine this more closely later," said Narcarth.

We moved to examine the hallways. They were lined on either side with numerous garments: long ornamental robes with elaborate designs, robes of dark silk, ochre robes of course cloth and many more. Each one was hung on thorn-like protrusions that emerged from the walls. Krisyra moved over and picked up one of the robes. When she did, the protrusion lengthened, and grew fingers as it attempted to reach for the robe. She cautiously gave the hand the robe. It took it, and then simply became a hook again.

"Seems harmless enough," said Narcrath, "Magically animated?"

"I'm not sure," said Lydratir, "I think this may be an effect of where this place may be located within the Planes".

"This one looks interesting," said Krisyra.

She reached into the racks of robes again, and pulled out a beautiful set of dark blue robes embroidered with a pattern of stars. (2) We didn't see much else of interest, so we headed back to the main hallway.

The next chamber seemed to be some sort of trophy room. The area was softly illuminated by floating globes of light. A large marble statue of a robed figure dominated the center of the room. Standing 15 feet tall, the figure was pointing a rod menacingly towards the chamber's entrance. Towards the back of the room is another stature of what appeared to be a bull, fashioned of bronze plates. Arrayed on the walls was a variety of curious objects: several skulls, a large set of golden-brown wings, an enormous maul, a scythe, two crossed swords, a long snakeskin, a dented shield, a stuffed cave bear head, and a tattered battle standard emblazoned with a red eye. There are also small tables, one which holds a platter of white sticks while the other nears a small metal coffer.

I moved over to examine the items hanging on the wall, and lightly brushed the set of wings. Suddenly, everything seemed to change.

I was high in the sky, and I feel the wind rushing over me. I dived down, snatching a cow in my talons.

I snapped out of this strange set of sensations, and realized it was some sort of vision, depicting the creature it came from.

Lydratir examined the bear head, and seemed to notice something. He did something to the bear's left eye, revealing a compartment within its mouth. He retrieved a ring of some sort.

Narcrath moved to examine to coffer, and opened it carefully, avoiding a trap within. Insidem he found three broaches, depicting a iron hook, a violet urn, and a coiled bronze whip.

Krisyra checked out the platter of white sticks, and nodded.

"These are for fortune telling. Watch," said Krisyra as she tossed a handful of sticks, "if I'm reading this right, they're foretelling dissent within our group".

"How accurate is this item known to be?" I asked.

"About as accurate as any other fortune telling method," said Krisyra, "which is to say only if what they fortell comes about through random chance".

Charles approached the bull statue, and looked at it carefully.

"This isn't a statue," said Charles, "there's blood on the horns".

As he said this, the bull statue sprung to life, and we readied to fight.

Krisyra launched out a wave of multicolored fire which adhered to the bronze bull, illuminating it. She then transformed into a rather large bear. I charged into the fray, slashing at the bronze bull with by claws. Narcarth focused for a moment, and then powerful bolt of lightning split the air, blasting into the bronze bull. Our foe struck at me, but one of it blows glanced off, while the other did very little. Charles attempted to strike the bronze bull, but missed with both swings.

Krisyra-Bear charged the bronze bull tearing into it with tooth and claws, leaving it badly damaged but still standing. I felt that strange notion in the back of my mind, reveling at the destruction we were performing, I slashed my claws deep, and bashed it with my tail, and I could see our foe was on its last legs. Narcrath stepped back, took a deep breath, and exhaled lightning. With that, the Bronze Bull fell, and the area was clear. We made sure all entrances were secure, and then sat down to take a short rest.

A/N: And there we go! Next time, our heroes continue deeper into the Hideaway see you then.

Footnotes:

(1) What's going on here, you ask? Allow me to share a brief glance behind the DM's Screen into information about this place. The Hideaway is a pocket dimension between Gehenna and the Nine Hells, and enery from those realms has begun to permeate the sanctum. Upon entering the Hideaway all characters must make a DC 14 Wisdom Save or develop a negative personality trait.

Valignatirisk has acquired the 'Bloodthirsty' trait which makes him revel in physical violence and take pleasure from harming others. If denied this too long, he will become restless, irritable, or mean-spirited.

Charles, on the other hand has acquired the 'Paranoid' trait, which makes him suspicious of his allies, and he'll start seeing plots where there are none. the rest of the party succeeded on their saving throw. Please note these traits are not a full change to their personality, but rather some errant thought that are drifting through their minds. As well, the can try an resist the effects of these traits if the so desire. In should also be noted that the traits are only temporary, and will go away once they're out of this place.

(2) Yeah, that's a Robe of Stars. it seems our Sorcerer's getting some new gear.