In Which a Short Cut Proves Long

Being the Account of a Journey from a Newly Destroyed Layer of the Abyss through Strange Lands and Back Home, as Related by the Participants and Compiled by Myself,
Lord Patele Michael Whorfin Greensleeves Kelekolio Alterio

Hell Falls Apart and We Find Ourselves In A Tropical Paradise

After a Plane Shift from the Abyss goes awry, we encounter a fierce, tall, and primitive people on a tropical island. We are made welcome, resting and gathering strength after our trials in the Abyss. We examine the items we took from the Abyss and discover that one, a small statue, seems to house an intelligence, telepathically claiming to be a diminished deity. This "Sheemish" translates the language of the natives. However, our hosts eventually attack us – ambushing us at a victory feast. We triumph through strength of arms over a force of about 50 warriors and magicians.

We Pass the Path of Trials and Speak to a God

In search of information and a way back home, we journey inland towards the residence of the ruler of this place, a purported god who makes a home inside a huge round mesa. The clergy who guard the place welcome us and explain that any who wish to speak to the god are welcome, but must take the Path of Trials. Petitioners may not do any harm to the guardians of the Path, and only six hours are allowed.

We Journey by Sea in Search of a Dragon

In a pirate ship from the Abyss (a magical item), we search out the dragon. En route we encounter giant octopi and mermen, but we deal with these hazards easily. The dragon is not as easy to vanquish. It breathes cold, speaks, and cast spells. It has humanoid followers, magical sea witches, and air elementals at its command. Its underwater lair is well defended. We attack several times and are driven off. It attacks us. We eventually triumph, at high cost to ourselves. We expend great magics. Abrac is slain, and raised.

We Reach the Portal and Make Deals

We journey by ship towards the Portal. We encounter a siren, Saynalee, who is befriended by Abrac. Then we pass through hurricane, over whirlpool, and through stone to the Portal, which is over a pool of lava. This brings us to a new plane, where we are interviewed by intelligent Xorn. We stand in line and are met by the Gatekeeper. He demands a magic item each in exchange for passage to the world on which the Top currently is found. He explains that due to previous contractual arrangements, he may teleport us to only one spot on the world, an illithid temple, and may not teleport us back – it is a one way trip. We prepare, and make the leap.

We Encounter Illithids

We appear in the temple and fight our way out, battling guards and clerics. The temple is in a mammoth tunnel, one or two hundred feet across. Strange plants grow on the floor, sides, and ceiling. We flee through what appears to be pasture and cultivated fields, worked by humanoid slaves. We travel for miles. Several times, illithid warriors attack us, but we succeed at driving them off. After a couple of days of travel, we leave their land.

We Travel Through the Underworld

Beyond the realm of the illithids, we make our way through an underground wilderness, a strange environment encompassed by the tunnel through which we walk. As we travel, we encounter numerous outrageous creatures and plants, some harmless, others not. We met a parasite that bestowed strength, and reptiles with magical abilities. A ferocious feline creature grabbed Nomad and carried him off, unsuccessfully. A flock of flying creatures with several associated exploding walkers and a huge carrier creature put up a good fight. A monster with many tendrils tried to drown us in a pool. Eventually, we met a water spirit in humanoid form, through whose agency we teleported to the Top.


Site Map | 30 June 98

copyright © 2001 by Michael Moran Alterio, Michael Babriecki, Harry Ching, Stephen Martin, and Donald R. Parrish III (all rights reserved)