The party had entered the Hall of Seven Pillars. We paid our “tax” to security. We were free to move about the cabin/cavern. We were also filthy, stinking, exhausted, bloody, and wounded.

Standing outside the door to Guldar Heel’s tower, the party gazed out across a bridge over a moat filled with a liquid which emitted a dull, red glow (similar to the pools in the basement of the tower?) in the late afternoon light. As they scanned the bridge a gate in the curtain wall on the far side creaked open. The party crossed the bridge and this external door closed securely behind them. Even the repeated application of Gonchar’s skull could not cause it to shatter or re-open.

The adventure at Arm continues; it is morning. The Arm is actually more of a keep than an inn, but I digress.

Upon entering the party encountered a huge central staircase “up” flanked by two smaller staircases going down. Flint observed that the 3rd floor (where the party currently maintains its bivouac) is significantly younger than the rest of the building - probably less than 30 years old. The servants on the first floor of the Inn are mainly gnomish females, with a few human women in the mix.

As the panicked party members returned to their senses, they also returned to the manor house. Gonchar and Kyril had remained behind and once light returned and the darkness was dispelled they realized the woman lying in bed had been dead for at least a day. Somehow the woman was made to look alive when we entered; the murder we heard in the dark was an illusion. Why?

With 10 pearls left for identify spells6 the party is now looking at a 2 day ride to The Friendly Arm. Menka cast cure light wounds on Kyril and Lycovyne and will heal Gonchar in the morning when the spells are again available.

The party slept for 4 hours without event. Menka planned to sleep through the second watch to get his spells back. Near dawn at the end of the second watch the party was attacked by 4 Minions of Set (hereafter referred to simply as minions). 2 failed initiative attempts later and the party was overrun.

The green snake was, apparently, alive and well where we left it, atop the dais in the carved out bowl where a statue of Khamsa once resided.

Hoping to get a bead on the snake from an upper level, Arkadios climbed the stairs to a higher level. Lycovyne, armed with ranged weapons, handed off the staff with continual light to Kyril and followed Arkadios. Unfortunately, through the gloom and dust, they were unable to see the snake from above. Gonchar attempted to throw a large piece of statue rubble at the snake and missed entertainingly.

The party spent 2 weeks resting and recreating (read: leveling up) at the Arm. It was market time at the Inn. All manner of creatures were present, including humans which were taller than dwarves but shorter than elves or western humans - Orientals!

Arkadios, Flint and Kyril decided to take a ride on the carpet of flying. They flew over a great deal of the local area. Along the way they flew to the lake we had visited previously, in search of pearls. Once there, Kyril cast water breathing and joined his fishy brethren under the surface, finding 8 pearls.

Now, with a chance to look around, we see that our bugbear assailants were wearing very mismatched armor. Probably mercenaries, not organized. The party found a beautiful obsidian mace among the corpses, as well as a very nice halberd. Menka stashed the obsidian mace in his pack, though the party left the halberd behind as it was too difficult to lug around (and no party members used halberds).

Having earned some serious gold (and the experience points that go with it) it was time for some training and levelling up.

“Arkadios is heading to Byrny to shoot up a congressional baseball game – 31 HP, 6k cost - spending 6k to level up and get a Restore.” Needs clarification.

Preamble#

You are contacted in your chambers by Bentley Mirrorshade of The Friendly Arm. Johann Hadrigan requests a meeting. Bentley offers a room off the main bar. The meeting is requested presently. He explains that Hadrigan has been aggressive in demanding a resolution of this issue, has paid well for his stay here, and that the Friendly Arm would like this guest to conclude his business and depart peacefully. He will await your response.