Chapter 2 / Episode 59 - Chaining of the Temple

Here are the details of the session:

Title: Chapter 2 / Episode 59 - Chaining of the Temple

Coldeven 16 - 17, 576 CY — Noon 

Players: 

Dog the Ranger of the Gnarley (Forest)

Irving the Reluctant (Paladin of St. Cuthbert)

TerryOr the Cleric of St. Cuthbert

Dixon the Dwarven Fighter

Slash the Bard

Muspell Heavyhand, Deep Gnome Illusionist

NPCs: 

Spugnior the Theurgist

Lita of the Fjord (Slash's Groupie and companion / Level 2 Bard)

Carrying Prince Thrommel, the adventurers make it the surface. As soon as he steps out of the temple doors - it is like a veal is lifted from him and life returned. The Prince stands tall and places his fingers together and gives a loud whistle. Moments later, from the south, a large white heavy warhorse appears. He mounts, draws his sword. "I return to Furyondy. I will call for you soon. For the Realm!" They bid him farewell.

Back into the temple.

The party explores a small vestry in the temple, finding broken glass, charred wood, and soiled robes on the floor. They discover an intact ivory robe with reddish-pink swirls and blue satin lining hanging in the rafters. The gnome is hoisted up to retrieve it. Irving examines the robe, noting its similarity to the soiled ones and the possible connection to elemental evil. The group discusses the robe's significance and decides to keep it for potential information or value. No secret doors are found in the room.

Exploring Temple's Grand Staircase

The group explores a new area of the temple, encountering a grand staircase leading down to a ceremonial space with an altar, throne, and colorful floor tiles. When they try to approach the throne area, an invisible force field prevents them from moving forward. Even Terry's ring of free action does not allow him to pass. They notice writing above the throne and markings on the colored tiles, but cannot decipher them fully. The group speculates about how to bypass the barrier, considering if there might be a switch or mechanism to deactivate it.

Securing Doors at Staircase Base

Terry and Irving chain the large doors at the base of the staircase shut, completing the third set of doors they have secured. The doors have silver glowing glyphs and large knockers on them. 

Party Rests and Prepares for Final Task

The group discusses their next steps after completing three out of four tasks. They decide to return to the tower to rest and heal. The final portal is guarded by four powerful earth elementals.  The party contemplates several ways to combat them. The party spends the night at the tower without incident, recovering hit points through rest.

The next morning.

Summary

Desecrating the Temple and Earth Elementals

The group discusses their plan to desecrate the temple by using horses to pull down a brazier, which the DM allows and rewards with experience points. They then plan their approach to a room with earth elementals on the first dungeon level, considering different entry points and strategies. The group debates using flame strike and other abilities against the elementals. They struggle to remember the exact layout but decide to attempt finding the room again.

The marching order for exploring the dungeon, with Dog in front, Dixon second, and the rest following behind. The party prepares to descend the stairs on the right side of the map through the green room to reach the first level of the dungeon.

Exploring Dungeon, Avoiding Stirges

The group continues exploring the dungeon, making their way through winding corridors and intersections. They encounter a foul-smelling chamber with pillars and a room with Sturges, which they decide to avoid. As they progress, Dog leads the way with a torch, checking for signs of previous passage. They come across a small chamber with a door, bench, stool, and various items hanging on the walls. The group discusses their memories of the layout and tries to determine the correct path forward.

Quick Defeat of 4 Guards in (Room #134)

The group encounters 4 guards in a room. They attack and quickly defeat them. As the last guard falls, doors open revealing 16 more guards in adjacent rooms (room #135). The party is surprised but manages to act first. They attack the new guards, with Terry casting Hold Person to immobilize 3 of them. The group plans to use the held guards as guides and kill the rest. They push into the room to engage the remaining guards in combat, with some party members hanging back to guard the rear. The battle continues with the party having an advantage due to their surprise attack and spellcasting.

Combat With Cultists and Elemental Temple

The group engages in combat with cultists wearing elemental symbols. They defeat most of the enemies, with some surrendering. Irving successfully converts the remaining cultists to follow St. Cuthbert by making them swear to the God by touching his holy mace. The cultists provide directions to the earth elemental summoning temple, indicating a shortcut through a nearby door. The party finds some arrows and daggers as loot. The converted cultists renounce their former allegiance, dramatically destroying their old uniforms.

Exploring Rooms and Discovering Treasures

The group explores two rooms (room #136 and 137), finding various treasures and magical items. In the first room, they discover a healing potion, some rope, and a bag of gems worth 600 gold pieces. In the second room, they find a glowing iron chest containing a large gold nugget worth 3,500 gold, a potion of speed, and two clerical scrolls. They also find a suit of magical +2 chain mail armor.

Earth Elemental Room Strategy

The group discusses a plan to enter a dangerous room guarded by earth elementals. (Room  145) Irving suggests casting sanctuary and protection from evil spells on TerryOr, who will attempt to chain the doors shut. They determine that protection from evil should prevent the elementals from making physical contact with Terry, even though the elementals are neutral creatures. The plan is set for Irving to cast both spells on Terry before he enters the room.

Sealing the Temple, Planning Next Steps

The group concludes their adventure in the Temple of Elemental Evil, successfully sealing off the demon within. 

This concludes the quest to the temple of elemental evil with the chaining of the last two portals. This chapter is over but more is to come building on the evil uncovered.