Determined to defeat Jaramon, the (Saturday) party delved deeper into the depraved wizard's lower levels within the pyramid. After finding a secret ladder down, 18 mongrelmen guards fought the party to the death, defending jailed subjects, human and otherwise, who were packed tightly behind iron bars. It was a long and difficult battle, but with a bit of help from prisoners freed and armed earlier, none of the party members or npcs were seriously hurt, though some of the liberators who joined in the battle were killed. The newly freed prisoners were armed with the weapons of the fallen, and given a few duties, mainly to help carry treasure from Jaramon's minions quarters. A transmuter (one of the minions) in the form of a vulture attempted to polymorph one of the party members into a frog, but failed to do so, and was slain.
In the level below, the treasure of the minions included that of the enchantress enlisted by the party as guide, a couple of wizards, and the high-priest, who had been hired to set up the pyramid as the "Temple of Transformation." The wizards had all already been beaten by the party. The high priest was easily defeated, though he surrendered and was allowed to live. His quarters were luxurious, with carvings and sculptures of a procession of reptiles, avians, mammals and aquatic creatures. Many servants were tied up, to be questioned later.
After a long search, a teleportal led to the next level down. Here, in a level containing a giant underground colloseum even the enchantress had not had access to, was a dead titan on a wooden frame, with various parts of other large creatures being grafted to it, including Roc wings, giant squid tentacles, extra eyes (including a few beholder eyestalks). In short, the beginnings of a nightmare being made, thankfully not yet completed.
A secret panel led to a narrow hallway. After evading a couple of traps, the party came to Jaramon's personal chambers, protected by teleportals. They found him reading a book, tried to attack, and dissappeared to other rooms, as did Jaramon. Jaramon took the opportunity to cast a few defensive spells, but after a long series of cat-and mouse, the monk in the party was able to grapple with an invisible, protection from missiles, protection from good, spider-climbing protected foe, who also had some powerful contingency magic items to teleport to his various rooms at random when in trouble. Unfortunately for Jaramon, his "random" room diced out to be the same room he was already in. The teleport defense was mainly designed for times when he was outside of his personal chambers, to bring him back there. It turned out to be the one weakness that would cost Jaramon his life. Once Taito grapped with Jaramon, all the teleporting in the world couldn't protect him, because Taito was along for the ride. Eventually, Jaramon just blacked out. Technically, he's still alive, but the party has plans to burn him or otherwise execute him next session.
Well, that's how it goes. It was a good session, and the group accomplished a lot, finishing the mini-story line for several sessions, demonstrating intelligence, compassion and mercy. The players, especially the party leader (Revan, Roddy's character) continue to surpass my expectations. I awarded 3,750 experience points to everyone. The NPCs (Geena, Mick, Telpin and Henderson) will all level to 6th. I'm going to be able to begin a new storyline for the next session, which will be Saturday, Feb. 26. Players were Shane, Phil, Roddy, (new guy--Shawn?), Lance, Robby and Carson. Lance and the new guy were not there for the whole session.
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