The few day journey from Pueblo di Mesas to the Oasis of Laurence went by uneventful. This could be because Yolo. The fighter turned Zookeeper now enjoyed the company of a four-tusked, wooly mastodon and a baby chimera. Those two must have discouraged wondering monsters from approaching our camp. Though keeping those two alive and tame is a full time occupation. Once we arrived at the Oasis of Laurence Yolo chose this as a good location to stop and train the two.
Dougal, the wizened wizard, immediately made a romantic connection with the local shaman. She turned out to be Grungar's great aunt. This made Grungar a bit grouchy around Dougal. With her as a willing ally though we learned that our six-fingered hand was pointing towards a known dungeon of evil denizens about a weeks travel into the desert. It was rumored to be the home of some dreadful machine. The week long trip would first take us along a river canyon. Beleagued by bandits the journey was dangerous only to be followed by a trip across the desert. After a few days in the desert we should arrive at the dungeon. We were also advised to be on the lookout for ambulant cacti, who at the slightest provocation would fire their stingy spines at passerby.
Knowing that we had a long trip ahead of us we stocked up on provisions. We also learned a bit about the aggressive, migratory, local fauna. Prepared for a long journey with set off. The travel along the river was pleasant. The ancient path crossed the river at three places. Here strange stone bridges conveyed us across the rapid river currents. Curious how such ancient constructions could remain in perfect shape lacking all maintenance Dougal investigated further. The bridges were clearly magical, and at the second crossing we found the bridge destroyed. It had been affected by some necromantic magic, so Dougal deduced that these bridges were clearly made from some sort of "Living Stone". He set out to learn the secrets of Living Stone. At each of the other bridges he spend significant time studying the material.
We found an ambush set by the river bandits: the way was shut by a hedge of ambulatory cacti. We investigated carefully to avoid a battle. With some cunning combination of invisibility and minor image, Dougal managed to fool the cacti into believing he was one of them. His ploy was interrupted as some bandits approached. They noticed the party and sent the cacti after them. Dougal pretended to be the lead cactus to warn our group. In our studies at the Oasis of Laurence we had created a serum that would repel the cacti. Using our reserves of this material we warded of certain spiky doom. I don't exactly recall what happened after that, maybe the cactus repellent was mildly intoxicating, but we seemed to hit it off quite well with the bandits. The robbery had apprently been a misunderstanding and they were happy to let us take shelter in their camp for the night and buy more provisions. So we set off again after a good nights rest. The next morning we were on our way following the six fingered hand.
At the last river crossing we found the bridge crippled, some massive blow must have been struck here in the past. Its few remaining arches hung over the river from each side. Our pondering was interrupted by a group approaching the other side. Brave as we are we hid to assess the scene: A gathering of town folk were following a priest. The priest lead a child dressed up for sacrifice a child to appease the desert gods. After some discussion about freedom of religion, we decided that even if this child wanted to be sacrificed it had clearly been indoctrinated and needed to have a proper education before reconsidering her options. Spurred by the humanitarian spirit we leaped into battle: Bloodthirsty, Grungar ran straight for the battle. While he ran through the churning river below I cast a web between the arches under the bridge. The child sacrifice was thwarted by this web as the priest threw her off the bridge. This let Grungar focus on what he does best.
Grungar pacified the townsfolk with his treatment of the priest. This opened ear their ears to hear Mollies teachings: party and be merry. No sacrificing children. On account of being much more fun this new belief structure was quickly adopted by the townsfolk. Hopefully their lives now involve more parties and less sacrifices. Dougal, his old bones too weary to climb up the bridge, and wanted to rescue the child. He relied on his magic to levitate down the chasm from one side, pick up the child and land safely by the townfolk. Celebrating our rescue of the child, more importantly that we managed to do so without murdering the town population, we trudged onward through the desert.
After a days journey (or so) we arrived at a lonely wizard tower. Since I was missing for the session I don't recall what happened here. To my knowledge wizard towers have an uncanny ability to host monsters and/or villains. I am sure there was a fun encounter here. After a good nights rest here we arrived at the dungeon of the Dread Machine ...
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