They emerged in another similar room however a passageway lead of to a exotic indoor garden. Dim light from globes of gray glass cast faint shadows throughout the dark garden. Though the trees and other foliage appeared healthy and luxurious, the leaves, stems, and flowers of these plants are sickly shades of dark blue, gray, and black. Along the south wall of this chamber stood another stone arch identical to the teleportation portals the group had seen earlier.
Before the band had an opportunity to explore the area a hissing sound became audible prefacing a cloud of insects suddenly boiling up from the shadows, swarming to attack. At the same time, what had appeared to be a mass of mottled leaves rose
up to reveal itself as an enormous beetle, which had viscous black fluid dripping from its joints.
Immediately Ben reached in to his bag for a cinderbomb and flung it at one of the swarms which had materialised at the far side of the garden. Unfortunately, the fact that the shadow creatures were concealed in the thickets made them difficult to hit. Garig headed straight for the enormous shadow beetle and tore in to it with his axe. Melech and Nalkyr also launched attacks at the swarms but only killed a handful of the scores of creatures which composed the swarm. Within seconds the swarms of shadow spawned insects has converged on the group the tiny but vicious insects crawling through gaps in armour and gnawing the skin beneath. The beetle then spewed forth stick stands of shadow catching Grogar and rooting the paladin where he stood. Ben tried to Thunderwave the deadly swarm away but being in such close proximity found it difficult to to get his aim right. Finally, Garig and Melech managed to take down the beetle. However, by this point things were looking rather dire for the group Grogar and Melech were totally covered by swarms of the dreaded rot scarab swarms and Quick Ben was cornered by a third column of the beasts. It was at this point when things began to look doomed.
Below Six shadar-kai ascended the levitation lift, and footsteps in the distance heralded groups of four coming through the doors of each of the towers. The squad that comes up from below was led by a grizzled captain, with ritual scars standing
out on his cheeks. Two panthers move at his side with teeth bared as they hiss. The captain waved his hand commanding "Creatures of shadow - begone!" and the insect swarms began to dissolve back in to the ground. He then turned his attention to the party. “Stand down!” the captain shouts, “or your lives are forfeit!”.
At least the short respite had given the unconscious Melech time to come round and staunch his wounds. However, before the band had time to start a dialogue with the Captain they were interrupted.
Suddenly, the garden was illuminated by a pulse of white light. The archway to the south flared as it revealed the black shrine, and a familiar figure stepped from that chamber into the garden. It was none other than the veteran the group had spoken to in the Happy Beggar, but he was no longer stooped with the appearance of age and his scarred skin began to turn gray.
The guards saluted the shadar-kai, who appeared surprised at seeing the heroes. He took in the scene before him with a cold eye. “I am Sarshan. I assume someone has an explanation for this?”Eager to alleviate their difficult situation Ben hoisted the corpse of Modra from the bag of holding, which seemed to provoke a smirk from Sharshan. However, before Ben had a chance to press home his advantage, he was interrupted by Thannu the Shadar Kai Captian who proceeded to deliver a military-style report on the
bands incursion of the tower, noting the areas they had infiltrated and the number of the dead and wounded.
Finally Sharshan addressed the heroes: “You are, quite literally, the last people I ever expected to see here. The charges leveled by my captain warrant torture
and death. However, I am told that an episode of sabotage in my foundry appears to have been thwarted, and that the you bear proof you have executed the traitorous Modra".
“As far as you’ve managed to infiltrate my operations, I can only assume you know a little of who I am. My wealth and reputation turn largely on honor, obligation, and secrecy. When I spoke to you of Modra, I hoped you would kill him and save me the risk of more exposure than he had already caused. The fact that you journeyed here to do the job is a surprise, but for your part in ending his threat to me and whatever he meant to do in the foundry, I am in your debt. However, for your role in the death of my personal guards, you are more greatly in mine. Here is a bargain that
balances the obligation for all of us. Join me.”
“Your skill at arms is clearly first rate. I offer you a place to use and advance that skill. Moreover, I offer you a place where you might live long enough to enjoy the fruits of your bravery. In a month, or six, or a year, your world will be a
place you will not want to live. Join me here instead.”
“Though I am nicely positioned to take advantage of these things, I know relatively little yet. What I do know, I cannot share for professional reasons, but trust me when I say that you do not want to know. Name your choice, friends.”
Realising their only hope laid in convincing the Shadar Kai they would accept Nalkyr spoke up. "We accept Sharshan and would be proud to fight with you". His companions didn't know whether the Drow's words were a lie, but he certainly appeared to be telling the truth.
"Very well escort them to the barracks" motioned Sharshan. "When you are rested I would like to speak to you about a betrayal of Overlooks council whom my sources inform me you are on good terms with".
Garig bit his lip and resisted the urge to cleave the Shadar Kai where he stood.
After spending some time in the barracks there was a familiar shaking underfoot as another tremor rose and fell quickly. Then suddenly, an ear-splitting explosion shook
the tower. Near the eastern side of the chamber, one of Sarshan’s guards shouted: “The foundry is in flames!” The guards were in motion, Sarshan all but
ignoring the party as he barked orders. One group was sent to the foundry, and another received orders to keep the mercenary camps under control. Sarshan then took a last squad of chainfighters with him as he moved for the lift. Suddenly the group was alone. Wasting no time they headed back for the teleportation arch in the garden below. However, when they reached the garden a familiar voice greeted them. "Going so soon, I knew you dogs were lying. Now prepare to die!" Flanked by his two spectral panthers Thannu strode in to the room.
"Hold him off, I'll see if I can work the portal" yelled Ben and he quickly went to work using his knowledge of the arcane to reconfigure the portal for the party's escape. Meanwhile, Garig unslung his axe and went to do battle with the veteran Shadar Kai. Thunnu's panthers darted in to the room harrying Ben and Nalklyr who were busy trying to work out the correct process to open the magical portal. The battle did not begin well for the heroes Thannu's twin katars struck home with alarming regularity and his shadowsteel plate seemed almost unbreeachble.
Finally Ben moved the last of the arcane gems in the portal in to place and the Portal was open. "Quick, fall back to the Portal, let us begone from this cursed place before it falls down around us!" yelled the wizard to his companions. The rest of the group gradually made their way across, however Grogar was caught by one of Thannu's attacks which caused shadows to writhe around his legs and rooting him to the spot. Garig, came back to the Dragonborn's aid striking a telling blow against the pursuing Shadar Kai. Meanwhile Ben, Melech and Nalkyr were gradually beginning to wear down the spectral panthers. Grogar suddenly broke free of the Shadar Kai's enchantment and took a great swing at him with his holy blade. Thannu tried to bring one of his katar's up to block the blow but it was too late, Thannu's head rolled along the floor coming to rest at the Paladins feet. With Thannu defeated his panthers followed in short order.
The party quickly searched the captain looting several magic items which Melech expressed more than a passing interest in, then darted through the magical portal. They emerged back at the cave of the Black Shrine and navigated back to Overlook.
The group then hurriedly made their way to High Hall the seat of Overlook government and reported their findings to the Council. One thing was clear - war was coming to the world, what was not know was when..............
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