S57: Huther’s SideKick Dorus

Alora continues to search Huther’s lab for vials of silver liquid, turning over boxes of vials of unknown origin, pages of strange text, and strange reagents. Fay’s gigantic T-rex form, Nom, and Mokon stand frozen from Huther’s last defensive attack, rendering them stunned. While Dorus stands behind Huther protecting himself and Huther from his own allies with spiritual weapons and a living circle of vampiric sirens. “Dorus, buddy, you really might want to have your friends stop. I don’t want to have to hurt them. What did I do to them? I never hurt anyone who wasn’t in a bad way. I mean women who had resorted to chemicals and drugs, children who were out on the street, and men of the most vile variety. In Nordrum’s case he wanted to come back… he was in a rough shape in his head when I found him -- missing limbs and worse… I helped him.” Instead of attacking, the group hears Huther tell his story to Dorus. As the mind stun fades the team has a choice. Attack Huther or try to find some way to work with it. Nom chooses the former. With sword held high she rushes the grotesque creature seemingly unphased by Dorus’ summoned glowing hammer that waits inches away or the ring of death that surrounds her target. She rushes toward her foe receiving a smiteful bash to the back as the ring of necrotic vampiric spirits ravage her body. She falls unconscious. Seeing this Dorus backs up quickly to remove Nom from harm's way and heals her battered body. Fay’s giant T-rex mouth gently picks up Nom to remove her from the battle further. Mokon watches… waiting for an opportunity to present itself.

Dorus just now notices his necklace glowing brightly. Especially when in close proximity to Huther. Is it one of the souls the SOG are looking for?

After many questions and much discussion the team decides to leave their friend/foe Huther alone for the time being. Dorus and Mokon try to convince Huther to let his “subjects” free, but Huther disagrees. Allowing the group to have only one of the three children. “You can have the little one. He is pretty sickly anyway. And probably wouldn’t survive. Just make sure you bring me any bad guys you beat up. Don’t kill them though. Alive is better than dead.” 

Dorus asks Huther for the vampiric cure. “Oh, sure.” Huther reaches one of his tendrils deep into his own body. “It is around here… somewhere… ah, there they are. Here you go buddy.” Huther produces three vials telling Dorus this may keep the curse at bay for maybe three days. “You are a pretty big guy after all.” Dorus eagerly drinks the fluid within. Instantly Dorus begins to feel his heart beat again. He feels warmth return to his skin. And his pale gray complexion returns from an almost white. Dorus feels like himself once more.

Huther continues to speak revealing Ferezan (the vampire the group killed) was only a spawn and that his true patron (Kanchelsis) is trapped deep in the bowels of this tower by none other than Fereza himself. He also believes only a vampire can enter. 

Mokon hopes Nordrum can remain alive knowing Huther is too powerful to defeat. Fay drops her dinosaur form as Nom tries to recover from her defeat. Alora stands, mouth slightly agape almost unable to believe she is currently in this strange and surreal predicament. 

Fay, knowing her soul is on the line, asks Huther about soul coins. Huther believes he has one lying around somewhere, but has been unable to find it. Fay begins to vigorously search, eventually finding the coin. As she picks it up she is ripped from her reality to another. She is in a man’s body. He is walking down a dimly lit street. He sees movement in an ally. Fay feels the man think about pursuing the movement, but uncertain due the dangers often associated with the part of town he currently walks. Knowing better he investigates. Fay feels a sharp, blunt pain to the back of her skull before she awakens once more in her own body. Huther speaks,”Yeah, pretty good stuff huh. Those coins really pack a punch. You can have it. I can’t really leave here anyway.”

The group files out of Huther’s lab, still uncertain of their next move.

Torin and Echo heard the entire battle. Torin tries to get a little more one-on-one time with Alora. And Echo insists he stay with the boy for protection. Echo reveals that he believes Huther to be in control of his actions although he is not 100% certain and he does not know how. Torin speaks,”We probably should find Luscious. He was taken somewhere to get what he deserves a while ago. A hot bath maybe?” Dorus reveals to the young halfling of Luscious demise. Torin seems genuinely upset and confused, finding solace in Alora’s embrace where his sadness turns to possibility. 

The group, larger than it was before, continues downward, still unsure of their next move. As they round the stairwell and sunlit portal stands before them. Echo is asked about the portal. “I believe it is a portal to the Feywild. My home realm. Although, looking through, I do not know exactly where it would lead.” Unsure what would happen if they traversed the portal the group decides to forgo the option. 

Continuing down the stairs they find themselves on the second floor balcony. Mokon had tested the stone floor tiles previously to see if they could bypass the glaring sentinel statue to get to the room below (which housed a very interesting child) -- it had potential. Maximizing on that potential Mokon once again lifts the rug and begins to assault the floor. Stone by stone the floor is upheaved revealing a sizable hold in the first floor tiles and revealing a second layer. Somewhat annoyed, Mokon jumps, landing with both feet on the below level of stone. With a crash and crunch he finds himself on the first floor amongst a pile of stone and across the somewhat broken leg of a very eerie doll. The doll has pale wooden skin, and wears a black dress with white lace. Strange symbols poke out from under the clothing. Through the hole above Dorus, Fay, Nom, and Alora peer downward. Fay is not very interested in the doll having seen plenty of scary plays involving sentient dolls in the past. Mokon, however, is not of the same mindset and quickly tosses the doll up through the hole in the ceiling. The doll lands squarely at the feet of the group -- all of whom take a healthy step backward. Fay ties off a rope and helps Mokon out of the room below. Mokon shoves the doll into his pack for safe keeping.

The groups decides the best option is to travel to Malaak, or perhaps Milbin. Fay turns to the mirror behind them and opens the doorway to Kloci once more. They all rush forward very happy to be out of this dreadful place. Fay makes her way through first, as her foot tries to find purchase on solid ground she realizes the portal was opened much higher than the others -- about 10 feet off the ground. Nibley she adjusts her body mid-fall and lands softly on the ground. The others, being less dexterous do not fare as well. One by one the group bursts through the portal, none expecting the extreme difference in ground height upon exit. One by one they land upon and around Fay until the SOG become the mound of Grimshackle. One by one they climb from the mound of bodies. As they do they feel, once again, the muffled and stagnant air of this in-between place. Echo, Torin, and a small (still nameless) child do not. “This place is weird,” whispers Torin. 

Kloci and Zola approach the group. (Kloci’s voice is less haggard and gravely as it was in their previous meeting. Perhaps he had a cold.) “You are back. Why are you back so quickly?” The group explains they need to get to Milbin or Malaak. "Have you found the two souls required to purchase your own yet Fay?" Kloci questions. Mokon eagerly presents the two soul coins he had created. One of Kloci’s eyes squint as the opposite brow raises. “What are these? These are not soil coins. Bah.” He bats them away, “Do you have sufficient payment?” the small demon questions. In fact they do. Fay reveals a cloth wrapped, five inch, slightly red-glowing coin, covered in runes and symbols. Kloci’s eyes grow wide as he swipes it from Fay’s hands. “Oh, I love that feeling.” Fay finds it hard to understand how the sensations she had felt when she touched the soul coin were good for Kloci… but to each their own. 

Zola approaches the group as its impossibly long muscular tongue begins to uncoil from its mouth of razor sharp teeth. A large hooked fang begins to protrude from the end. Fay is ready. She tells Zola to find mirrors at Milbin’s. She feels Zola’s tongue wrap its way around her body upwards toward her ear. She prepares for the next step as the spiked tongue penetrates her ear canal and brain. After a brief sharp pain, flashes and images pulse through her mind. Then it stops. Her eyes refocus on Kloci. “There are many reflective surfaces, but none of the proper size or clarity for a safe portal.” Kloci huffs through his nose as if annoyed. What about Alora’s mirror? Then the group remembers that Alora’s creations only last a few hours. Alora looks puzzled. “Any other place?” Fay looks at the group and then states Malaak’s hut. Zola’s tongue is ready. Images once more flood Fay’s mind. Then she is back. “No places to open a portal there either.” Another snort of annoyance escapes Kloci’s nose. Fay quickly begins to discuss their destination with the group. A short discussion bounces between the group until they decide to try Jiver’s house… well the Mayoral Mansion. “Are you sure this time?” Kloci rhetorically asks, somewhat annoyed. Zola’s tongue pierces Fay’s brain a third time. This time Fay’s mind connects to one partially nice mirror and then she is ripped back to reality. Kloci and Zola approach the humongous glowing portal. He reaches a small weathered hand toward the magical gate. As his hand breaks the flowing blue surface the group watches as the gentle blue swirls turn to fire. They are looking from within a mirror to a Therack they do not remember -- a city on fire.

Having few other options to leave the Shadowfell the group agrees to go to a burning Therack.

As the group steps through a beautifully ornate mirror into Mayor Flounderweasel's dressing room they feel the dry heat of fire. Approaching a nearby window they peer outward. The city. The entire city… is in flames. Even worse, packs of gnolls and hyenas run rampant. Groups of gnolls line up and execute Therackians as they cackle while packs of hyenas strike down any who are unfortunate enough to be in their path. It is utter chaos. This chaotic mob appears to be similar to one they came up against at the druidic grove… very similar, only, there are so many more -- hundreds. Dorus first instinct is to fight for his city, but knowing he would be overwhelmed in a matter of moments he chooses differently. The group begins to call for Jiver's. They hear nothing for moments until a faint "Dorus is that you?" is heard from a nearby room. Peering into the room a closet door begins to open slowly and monicled head peeks from within. "DORUS!!!" Jiver's yells immediately followed up by a whispered "Dorus…". Jiver's runs toward the group in a much less stiff fashion than the group had previously seen. Jiver's explains that the beasts appeared in the city not two days earlier. No demands were given only chaos a destruction. All the staff in the mayoral mansion had been slaughtered (as far as Jivers new). "Those scoundrels were fortunate enough that I was cleaning a closet and the door stuck or I would have certainly given them a good old fashioned WHAT FOR!" Jivers looks sporadically at Dorus as he tells his tale of missed heroism.

The group quickly discusses options and names of those who they should try to help in the city. Ton, who was currently dead… or perhaps alive now… no one really knows. Luscious who is most certainly dead. Luscious daughter Vortexx, who may still be at the shop (and may not know her father is dead).  And Krom, Dorus' old workout buddy (who together would show up the local guards in feats of strength and muscle flexing) could usually be found at the Recompense House (local sheriff's office). These were the first names that came to mind. Although there were so many others, the group decides to start with this list first. Since Krom and Vortexx were fairly close in physical distance they would start there. The party also decides that the sewers were the way to go. Luckily enough they had a map and it showed the sewer ran fairly close to both locations. "You really want me to go in there… the sewers?" asks Jivers. A group glare follows closely behind the question. "Fine, there is a cover to that disgusting place right behind this building." Jivers disgustidely responds.

Making their way to the first floor the group steps over multiple dead staff and avoids multiple burning areas, finally reaching a window overlooking the backyard. Sure enough a large manhole cover is tucked beside a small berry bush. Guards wander past in groups. Stealth will be in order. The group prepares and then one at a time make their way to the sewer entrance. Fay goes first opening the way followed by a fairly stealthy Dorus Jivers, and Mokon. Torin and Echo sneak past two fairly close gnolls who are talking about their next meal. Alora and Nom are last, along with the very young child they had taken from Huther. The child, who had been fairly quiet up to this point (maybe because of the red ooze that still drips from his lungs… maybe not) not being used to this level of horror begins to sob. The two closeby gnolls look directly at Nom who is in the rear of the line. The gnolls begin to dash toward the group. Quickly everyone enters the tunnel -- two very thin gnolls follow. Before they can call for backup Nom quickly dispatches them with the strike of her steel. Their bodies fall limp into the green brackish liquid of the sewer. 

Looking at the map the crew begins forward knowing they need to cross the river where this sewer system ends and the upper Therack sewer begins. They move forward hearing yells, screams, and hyenic laughs from above knowing there is little they can do to help. As they walk they come across a sickly young woman. She coughs as she speaks. Her words are broken and she makes little sense. The group decides to leave her here safely away from the horror above.

They continue on eventually coming to a large round gated end to the sewer. Dorus and Mokon make short work of the rusted latch and hinges. With a loud "squelch" the door opens. Fay peeks her head outside. She can see the bridge that connects the residential district of Therack to Upper Therack to her right. To her left, and across a slow current, but deep river, the entrance to Upper Therack's sewer. Dorus and Mokon have no good way to swim across the river given their extremely heavy armor. Fay and Nom, being the stealthiest of the group, head toward the bridge to get an idea of what sort of resistance there might be. They sneak almost silently to the edge of the bridge. Crackling fire and distance barks and barking conversations ride the wind. Noma and Fay are pleasantly surprised that there is little traffic across the bridge. It is slightly past dusk and it appears that many of the gnolls and hyenas have found a place to hold up for the night. They seize the opportunity and cross the bridge, leaving their group behind. As they cross, Mokon, who is watching closely from the sewer exit, sees them cross. He tells the group and the group follows suit, albeit in a much more clanky non-silent sort of way. Fortunately, and with a little luck, not a single beast hears their metal armor crashing off the stone walkway. The crew regroups at the entrance to the Upper Therack sewers. Mokon is tasked with staying and protecting Alora, Jivers, Echo, Torin, and the toddler just inside the entrance to the sewer while Nom, Fay, and Dorus make their way above ground toward the Recompense House which is only  a few hundred feet northwest. Mokon gives them a 20 minute timeframe before he takes his group out of the city to safety.

Nom, Fay, and Dorus depart, heading toward where they hope to find Krom. The Recompense House is fairly quiet except for the occasional yip and closeby gnoll conversation. Clearly the rooms have been raided as most rooms have been overturned and ransacked. The three sneak inside. Listening and cautiously planning their route. Room by room they approach the prison area where they believe, if Krom was here and still alive, the place he would be held. Dorus has been here many times in the past. He explains what is behind each closed door. As they approach the weapon room door they hear a singular growling on the opposite side. Fay abruptly opens the door to dispatch a lone feeding hyena making only minimal noise. They move forward. Looking into the courtyard they can see small groups of gnolls standing around chattering. A closeby conversation speaks of how they are running low on food and then referencing the prisoners. Across the courtyard a barred prison packed far over capacity with prisoners  (food for the horde). Inside the cell Dorus sees some familiar faces pressed against the bars, but not Krom. The next room, and entrance to the prison, is across the courtyard. Using a bit of magical influence, they suggest to a nearby group of gnolls that a prisoner is in the guards bunkhouse (a building to the far end of the courtyard). Gnolls are not intelligent beings and quite easily the thought is placed. "Hey, a prisoner is in the bunkhouse. GET EM!" The courtyard is a flurry of fur and stupidity as every gnoll rushes the building to find their next meal. Bangs, crashes, and breaking wood implies the gnolls are nothing if not thorough in their search for their next meal. Nom, Fay, and Dorus take the opportunity to sneak into the sheriff's quarters with ease.

Closing the door behind them they latch it shut. Turning, they realize how this room has not been destroyed -- it remains intact. Strange. As they take a few steps forward they heard padded footsteps down a stone hallway. A single well maintained and well armored gnoll walks into the room. Caught entirely off guard, a human hand drops from his open jaw.