Dungeons and Dragons Day 27: Aboleth
The Aboleth:
The party entered the southern room where treasure allegedly awaited them. And a massive pile of riches glittered in the cave. The group smiled, but their cheers were delayed as they discovered something else nearby. A gigantic fish like creature with multiple tentacles hovered between the group and their goal.
Grez decided to prepare an attack as was his custom, but the creature spoke and give him pause. Realizing that the creature was intelligent, Sigvard tried to reason with it. Asking if they could have the treasure, the creature responded about different types of treasure cryptically.
Two things happened in rapid succession. First, Grez decided to try and read the mind of this strange being and the second was Artin warning that this creature was an Aboleth. The first resulted in nasty experiences for Grez. The second made Sigvard recoil in fear as he knew of such a monster.
Grez got to deal with his own mind being read. The creature was a powerful telepath. The Aboleth learned his every desire, notably that he wanted off this planet. The monstrous being also laughed when it read the thoughts about Kraanak.
“Why would I serve such a monstrous being?” The Aboleth asked. “I am a servant of Lady Orabaras. The Bandits who tried to invade this sacred ground attempted to defile it with the blessings of their own patron. I killed them of course. Chaotic vermin are easy to control.”
The Giant Returns:
None of the party really cared that the Bandits had been forced to kill each other. But this wickedness was something that none of them would stand for. Of course they also wanted the treasure. They just needed an excuse to kill this giant fish.
Despite being a powerful foe, the Aboleth found itself in serious trouble with the sudden appearance of Sneak Peak. The Rogue returned once again, very much alive. A creature of logic stood no chance against the nonsensical antics of the sort of ally of the party. The monster died and the group suffered almost nothing for it.
“The bear was stronger.” Grez declared as the Aboleth cried out for its dark mistress one last time. Now the room was clear and the treasure was for the taking. This led to both some good and bad news. The good news was that there was a weapon that was clearly magical in nature. The bad news was that the book was not there.
However, a note hinted at its location: “If you are reading this, you have come for the book. I have it and am waiting in Diamond for you.” This oddly specific tidbit of information indicated where the party would go next. There was no other reason to be here so the group left in haste.
Return to the Start:
As promised, Artin told them where they were in the world. A strange turn of fate had left the group not far now from where their grand adventure had started.
Returning to the small town really brought back memories of how far the group had come. Or at least memories for everyone save Caic who had not been part of the journey when it had begun. Naked Monk decided to stay away from the village and scout ahead. He kept talking about how he had a bad feeling about things.
The rest of the group returned to the tavern where everything had started. The Rogue was not as welcomed into the pub where the party had first joined forces. The windows were still broken from when Sneak Peak had thrown a tantrum in rage. And the party was eager to get out of here quickly before there was trouble.
Knights of Exscutchon:
However, Naked Monk approached them as they left and warned that trouble had already found them. There were armored knights representing Exscutchon. And the villagers had whispered that the Paladins had been a little violent and had even taken some of the children in their last appearance.
Continuing on their way once again, the party found themselves in the same valley where they had fought the Bird Monsters a couple full moons prior. This time, they ran into the pursuing problem: Priests of Exscutchon.
“We were commanded to slay all those who carry the taint!” One of the Priests yelled and did not even give the party a chance to figure out why they were tainted this time.
The dark aura that had been present on the Angel also hung to a lesser degree on these foes and so Caic was much more willing to fight. And a fight into the valley was about to begin.