Playthings of the Gods

[Custom_Hobby]

Olothros looking at the group now free of the foul compulsion asks "Then let us please go and toss some snow on the fires. I wouldn't want any of those creatures any closer to freedom until we have the resources to end the threat totally. I would then vote for heading back to the asylum and making sure the inmates are well. From there we can head back to the town."

I would love a chance to explore here some more. There may be untold magical secrets hidden in the ice.

OOC: Fabian is this the end of this adventure?

[Fabian]

OOC: You still need to get back to the Asylum and then back to the Mason home to get your reward. If there's anything else you want to do here, let me know. If not, I can provide a summation of your journey back... or attack by random monster :D...

[Custom_Hobby]

Olothros steps forward " I suggest we do a quick sweep of the area and make sure we don't get any unpleasant surprises. Let's all stay together that way no one gets lost and we can leave as soon as we are finished. Are there stores of food in here anywhere? Is anyone hungry?"

[Agentmolar]

Blast that curious elf, i appreciate the scientific enquiry of the unknown but eldritch evil forces are not what i have in mind

Gaius torn between loyalty to his colleague and out of concern for the former vassals frowns. Then shaking his head in smiling with chagrin turns to olothros

"Well elf, we dont often get a chance to explore ancient temples with mind controlling altars. Lets explore this place some more, but no more than a few hours. These people need to be returned home to safety. They have surely been through enough. "

[Bodhi]

Will can't even spell eld... elll.... ellri... Nightmare stuff. So he's not to worried
"S...s...sure Pointy ears. L....l...lets go find the good stuff!"
"W...w...we've saved their friggin' lives right? A...a...and do I look like a nanny service to you godmongerer?"
He adds with a wry look at Gaius.

[Agentmolar]

Gaius cant help but chuckle.

"Of course Will, your charitable nature is legendary. Im sure that if we dont get our reward because we dallied too long here, Will will be quite fine about it. Didnt you say something about letting the Masons keep your share of the reward because they have suffered enough? Its moments like that that make me very proud of you."
Turning to the masons.

" Do you see why im so impressed with him? Hes has the true making of a hero befitting a bards tale. He tries to disguise it with his bluster, but I see the truth"  Gaius says trying to keep a straight face. 

"Well how about Olothros and Will you search for your geegaws while you can, Illl make camp here and check the survivors for injuries"
I know i shouldnt bait him, sometimes I just cant help it. 

[cheddarmonger]

"Hoy -- we should burn out those buggers and tell 'em what for!  They hurt nice people!"  Lunk searches for a torch or something to help melt the ice.

[Custom_Hobby]

Olothros walks over to Lunk "We can come back and kill them later when we don't have innocent people with us who can get hurt. We need to make sure nothing is trying to sneak up on us, are you coming with Will and me?"

OOC: If he says yes we head off and search the place as quickly and efficiently as we can.

[Bodhi]

"M...m..masons have suffered enough! I know they haven't suffered enough f...f...fer my liking that's for sure" Will mutters under his breath as he walks up to follow Olothoros spitting in the masons general direction as he passes them by.
"O...o...of we go then" he hollers with a forced grin.

[Fabian]

The 'heroes' (the term is somewhat loosely applied to Will) make a final check of the area. Obviously, their newly rescued companions are eager to leave, but Olothoros' desire for knowledge and loot will not be assuaged. The group find nothing more than they have already uncovered, much to the chagrin of both the elf and the thief.

And so, a large band of bedraggled, befuddled people makes its way up the ramp, through the black tower to the surface, to the clean light of day. It is an arduous trek back to the asylum, the Doctor and his assistant Shaver having to herd several rather mentally damaged individuals (even more so after being mentally dominated by a monstrosity from before the rise of human civilisation).

Eventually you return, met by Gibs who tells you that things have actually been a lot more peaceful than usual, bar Pym trying to bite his hand off. He looks at the rest of the group, newly returned, and sighs, "Ah well, back to normal then... well as normal as it gets..."

You all rest at the asylum in rather cramped conditions, and Shaver looks bewildered at the "alarm system" that was set up previously. The next day, your band of four sets off back to town with Jacob and Larion Mason. When you arrive, you go to Wohin's house and a joyous reunion is held between father and son, brother and brother. "I be right grateful to yer, sirs," Wohin says, "Should you ever need the services of a stonemason, me family and me will be only to glad to help."

He then provides you with 50 gold coins each, as promised, and you all have a slap-up meal, albeit one in which a dark foreboding hangs over in the back of your minds.... How many other cities such as this might there be? What other beings from before the reign of man lurk in the dark places of the world? Are we all just playthings of the gods?

OOC: Congratulations! You have finished the adventure, wealthier and er... wiser? You are now all Level 4. Any questions about advancement, please use the OOC thread. Your next adventure will be in a new thread (to be started soon, and will take up your adventures in the distant south, in the pirate city of Freeport...

[Bodhi]

Pirates! Now here's one for Will! He might make new friends? Not an easy task for Will but one can allways dream...
Last muttered comment from Will:
"I...i...if ever you need a stonemason!? Who in the w...w...world EVER needs a stonemason...?"

[Fabian]

OOC: Will will be right at home...

[Custom_Hobby]

Olothros shakes his head "We may if we ever go back to investigate the frozen palace, or even build a strong hold to rest our heads."

[Bodhi]

"S...s...strongholds! Y...y...e would fancy yerself a noble then pointy ears? S...s...strongholds aint nothing for common folks like me."

[Custom_Hobby]

Why do I bother? "Then a hideaway if you rather..."