B1E24- Conclusion.Out of Time

Jarl (human Wizard, Bill), Mareshi (human Cleric, Tony), Draggo (Dragonborn Barbarian, Brian), Thokk (half-Orc Warlock, Duane), Knott (Firbolg Druid, Matt), Fabian (1/2 elf Bard, Goeff)

Spire of Iriolarthas: Obviously the weather control devise was damaged as bolts of electricity or bolts of lightning or solar flares shot out in random directions. And yet the Tomb-Tapper with its gapping maw stood defiant. We’d come to destroy it and hopefully the demilich’s phylactery that it represented.

Little did we realize the demilich Iriolarthas was also present as he screamed an unholy Howl that buckled our sanity and fortitude (10d10 damage). Jarl cast Haste on Draggo (our greatest warrior) as the others cast spells or mocking words at the threats. Mareshi was kept busy healing others while Knott summoned a giant ant to occupy the Tomb-Tapper.

Decision? Kill the construct first and ignore the more powerful and threatening demilich?! Thokk tried to hit the lich with Eldrich Blast, but it seemed to shrug it off (Legendary Resistance). Even spells that caused half-damage on saves seemed to have no effect (Avoidance Trait). The best we could do was maneuver to avoid direct contact, yet the lich still reached out and casted anti-magic that encircled Fabian and Jarl: Jarl’s concentration was abruptly ended thus rendering Draggo temporarily incapacitated. More of the lich’s Legendary actions soon dropped Mareshi (now suffering death saves).

Jarl summoned a dragon to face the Tomb-Tapper: it survived long enough to make one acid attack. Oh, we hit the lich with some radiant damage or the Shatter spell from Draggo once he could move again, but we were failing as the lich continued to drain our health (reduced our Max-HP). At least someone came forward to heal Mareshi. And that’s when she cast Banish on the Tomb-Tapper, giving us but one target to focus on.

It took all we had to finally drop the demilich which faded as a wisp of smoke. But we knew it would return if we didn’t destroy its phylactery. So, Mareshi healed all before cancelling the banishment. We stood ready to face it and unleashed all we had left. We held our breath for long minutes expecting Iriolarthas to re-appear. It was over.

Quick, to the Bat Chamber: And that’s when Professor Skant urged us to rush to the inner chamber where Iriolarthas’ treasure lay. “All the magic of Ythyrn await; there is his Staff of Power among other great items.” Only now did some of us begin to wonder and doubt the orb’s true allegiance. Knott argued how Skant helped us throughout the ordeal of finding and navigating the city.

We gathered in from of the chamber: 8 doors awaited. Above each door was the inscription, “Speak thy masters name and enter.” Recognizing symbols above each door represented one of the 8 schools of magic and knowing the names of the 8 wizard masters of Ythyrn, we called the appropriate name and entered the room. Like a fool, Knott listened to Skant and soon stood before a rack of scrolls. He selected the one mentioned and unfurled it to allow Skant to read.

And that’s when Skant made an offer, “I’ve unleashed the Tarrasgue upon 10-Towns. Do as I ask to save the towns. Take the Staff of Power to the Obelisk to activate the time machine to return Ythyrn back to its time of greatness when it still flew above the world.” Pissed, Draggo grabbed the orb from Knott and was about to run away with it to the anvil of magic destruction. Jarl cast Otiluke’s Resilient Sphere, trapping Draggo like a hamster in a ball, “We need time to talk about this! Just what do we want to do?!” While we slowly reasoned we had no choice, Draggo began to slowly roll his sphere towards the door. Thokk joined in trying to roll it out of the room. Only when we convinced Draggo he could kill Skant if things didn’t work out, was he released. Thokk whispered to Draggo, “We only need to go back 10 seconds after killing Iriolarthas. Then you can destroy the orb.”

The Obelisk: With staff in hand, Jarl stood before the obelisk with Knott at his side. Everyone else took cover, but not before Draggo threw the orb (Skant) into Knott’s magical mayo-jar. As a caution, Draggo tied a rope to Jarl in case he needed to pull the wizard to safety. “Here goes nothing.” Jarl touched the staff to the obelisk… The obelisk suddenly pulsed with tremendous energy:

• Jarl was transported to another plane (the lawful/neutral plane of Bytopia). He was at home in his new world.
• Knott was vaporized, leaving only the stain of his shadow on a far wall.
• Poor Fabian failed to properly distance himself and paid the price.
• Furthest from the obelisk, Draggo survived.
• Only 30ft away, Mareshi and Thokk barely survived the blast. Mareshi quickly cast Revivify on Fabian and Knott.

EPILOGUE

Mareshi, Thokk, Fabian, and Knott looked out over the edge of the city of Ythyrn as it hovered over the world below. They learned that the city indeed had been transported back in time 5,000 years ago. At least they knew the layout of the city and the names of the main wizards.

But Draggo was preoccupied, “Who wants to help me find Professor Skant so I can kill him.”