The Nexus

The final room in the complex could only be the Nexus. It was a massive chamber, dominated by a great stone and bronze cylinder in its centre. Running round the perimeter of the room was a steel mesh catwalk which led upwards to a platform some 80 feet high on top of which was a large control panel. Dotted around the room were a number of tunnels leading to who knows where.

"Quickly, get to the control panel, there's no time the orc horde will be upon in no time!" urged Kalad. As if on cue, orcs began to pour through the tunnels in to the room.

"Looks like well have to fight our way through" mused Garig and the big fighter moved purposefully up the steps to meet the on rushing orcs. The rest of the group took Garigs lead.



Although numerous, most of the orcs were lowly drudges and other than the odd lucky blow, were no match for the steel and spell of the band. However, after a few minutes hacking through the orc foot soldiers, a huge Orog accompanied by a Shadar Kai witch entered the room. The presence of this brute seemed to inspire the lowly orcs "For Tusk!" cried several of the minions before charging in to battle.

Pushing through his own troops Tusk headed straight for the adventurers. It was Grogar who found himself in the line of fire first. "Weakling dragonbait, prepare to meet thy pathetic God" mocked the huge half ogre. With that he launched a series of devasting attacks at the Paladin which launched him into the wall rendering him unconscious. Sensing his peril Kalad and Garig moved up to engage the mighty brute.

"On your feet, Grogar" yelled Melech and to everyones relief the Dragonborn began to stir. Meanwhile Nalklyr moved on to a central walkway seeking a better vantage point to fire upon Orc chieftain and Ben was flinging blast after blast of searing fire on the never ending waves of minions in a desperate bid to stop the heroes being surrounded.

The Shadar Kai was keeping a safe distance from the heroes, she had placed some kind of mystical curse on Grogar, Kalid and Garig and was launching a series of psychic attacks on the heroes which wracked them with pain.

Nalkylr summoned his innate drow magic darkfire ability and Tusk was immediately shrouded in magical light which momentarily distracted the beast. Seizing his opportunity, Nalklyr followed up with a precise shot from his enchanted crossbow. The quarrel flew straight and true, striking the orog at a vulnerable gap in his plate armour. As the poison entered his system it seemed to make him somewhat drowsy and weakened. It was probably just as well for with a great sweep of his falchion he cleaved Melech, Garig and Kalad however the weakened blow was not as deadly as it might have been. Ben turned his attention from the orcs pouring in from the tunnels to Tusk, he reasoned that the monster might be more vulnerable to mental rather than physical attacks and uttered the incantation for an illusionary ambush spell. His theory was proved when Tusk collapsed on the floor clutching his enormous head.

Sensing this was a pivotal moment the party pressed on up to the platform cutting through the dozens of orcs which stood in their way. Unfortunately, Nalkyr was trapped on the lower floor as a number of the drudges had broken off to fight him and was doing his best to hold them at bay.

Feeling he had a personal score to settle with the Shadar Kai witch Grogar pushed his way through the melee until he was face to face with her. When he swung his fullblade a sudden jolt of pain seared through him but it was not enough to distract him from his task and when he had finished the Shadar Kai's decapitated body lay at his feet.

The party then fought their way through to the control panel. Garig seeing Nalkyr stranded below threw down a rope and attempted to pull the drow to saftey, whilst Kalad and Ben attempted to figure out the machinations of the control panel. Meanwhile Melech and Grogar formed a defensive line to repel the dozens of Orcs still pouring in to the room.

After struggling attempting to pull Nalklyr up, Garig summoned some hidden reserve of strength and with a mighty heaving slowly pulled the drow up 20 feet into the air. It was not a moment too soon. After some trial and error Ben and Kalad stumble across the correct sequence of button presses and lever pulls to activate the control panel. It whirred in to life and a series of panels below opened up gouting boiling water in to the room, within moment to bottom of the room was submerged taking several of the orcs to an agonizing death. With renewed incentive , Garig heaved Nalkyr again finally pulling him up to the top platform.

"Quick, head for the escape hatch" cried Kalad. Each of the party, headed up nearby ladders in to the hatch whilst Melech and Grogar held off the pursuing orcs. Meanwhile the water was steadily rising and was mere feet below their position.

"After you, my good man" smiled Melech to Grogar. Without time to argue with the Tiefling Grogar nodded and headed for the hatch. Ensuring his companions were safe Melech ran for the ladder. One of the orcs caught him with a blow to the ribs, but bruised and bleeding the tough warlord hauled himself up the ladders and through the hatch. Kalad was on hand to slam the door shut as soon as he was through and within moments the sounds of the orcs desperate beating on the hatch followed by their horrible screams as they were boiled alive were quickly drowned out by the gurgling of the water below.

Unusually for the serious dwarf he was wearing a large grin. "Orcs don't taste great, however you cook them" he chuckled. "Back to Overlook my friends?".