Topic: Session Summaries
Taken from notes with Interviews with Patrick Fitzpatrick for the book, Real Adventures, Real Adventurers by Thaddeus Toouk.
After their battle with the shield guardian, the group rested and restored their resources. Finally, they were ready to continue their sack of the wizard’s tower.
Having already gained entrance through the large doors and wedging them with the remains of the battering ram, there was no difficulty entering the tower. Things became difficult, however, after a partially functional shield guardian was discovered blocking the group’s advance. Battle ensued, and although many blows were aimed at the creature, the most consistent factor in the fight was Riley’s shooting, which struck the mechanical device repeatedly until it no longer functioned. The group was able to salvage another sapphire (all of which seem to be worth about 3000 gold.)
Axel, starting a run of bad luck that was to follow him mercilessly, was able to get a second sapphire from the remains of other shield guardians that littered the floor. Unfortunately, he also set off its stored spell and was badly wounded in the process.
The group explored the lower levels of the tower, discovering storage rooms, a stairway upwards, and a small sitting room. Upon entry, Axel was attacked by the carpet while other pieces of furniture moved on the party. Although Patrick and Jour were able to attack the chairs and bookshelves in the room with impunity (as was Riley from the door with her bow) Axel was almost crushed/suffocated by the carpet until Patrick was able to free him from the offending floor covering.
Chastened by their diminutive group member’s near death, the four party members completed the search of the lowest level and rose to the second floor.
Here they found several labs for alchemy and wizardry as well as a storage closet with lab coats, goggles, and gloves. After the second room they investigated animated its contents to attack them (as well as destroying much of the valuable contents in the process) The party decided not to investigate the valuable store rooms any further and to focus on simply mapping the tower and discovering the method whereby to shut down the tower’s formidable and really annoying defenses.
Consecutive floors showed class rooms, more advanced labs, and a holding area for familiars.
The group also found a stairway leading up to a trap door (presumably leading to the roof) which stated in no uncertain terms that the perimeter defenses (i.e. the fireball launching system that had destroyed Patrick’s grapnel) had been activated.
Not wanting to be crisped, the four intrepid loot finders moved down a level to what they believe is a door to the shorter (if thicker) connecting tower.
They activated the security system (knowing full well the dangers this might pose) and found themselves facing an air elemental. Riley summoned an air mephit to fight its larger cousin and the rest of the group set to with a will.
Although Axel took some more damage, being the fates' punching bag, the elemental was finally killed by Riley’s summoned companion, and the door to the new tower is now open.
Beyond the door, they found what appeared to be an idyllic indoor garden, complete with pools, grass, and trees. In the center of the chamber sat a scantily clad maiden of unearthly beauty, who greeted them thusly, "Oh, is it visitors? Oh, it is! And I've been so lonely..."
Patrick Fitzpatrick grinned widely, and Riley contemplated Lees' sense of humor about the "impossible" things she had promised yesterday.