You see a Hydra....... (update 12/16/07)

The party gathers at the pit of seven jaws.

They peer down into the darkness. They can barely see the bottom of this perfectly carved pit. the outside walls have a corrugated mettle stairwell. Each wall drops down 15 feet. By the time one descends each wall you would have reached the bottom of the pit 60 feet below.

The party tentatively moves down the stairwell. Donner making his way first due to his dexterity and speed. About 3/4 of the way down rushing out of a dark fisher in the side of the cave comes a seven headed hydra. The breath emitting from its heads are so terrifyingly cold that Donner immediately drops to near unconsciousness.

The rest of the party charges in. The heads of the hydra snap and blood flows freely. Pepper uses fire rays aimed at the heads trying desperately to rid this foul creature of at least one of its attacks.

Other party members purposely drop off the edge of the stairs to save their monk friend. Bolgrim becomes a healing fiend. All energy goes into keeping people up and alive. The rest of the party wounded from gnashing teeth, and the breath weapons does what they can to damage this thing. Unfortunately, wounds heal so quickly each round that it is astounding. Yet the damage being imparted on the Hydra are adding up faster than it can heal.

Conell does a heroic attack and luckily severs a head from the creature. Peppers fire is damaging different heads causing another to collapse and go limp on the stalk of the creature. The Vanguard is terribly wounded and spells are nearly depleted. Every member of the party is terribly wounded when the final blow is laid upon the creature.

The Vanguard chooses to leave the hydra in the fissure blocking any creatures from coming from the underdark to the surface. However, they do cut off many chunks of meat and cook pounds of it to help restock a few days of supplies.

That night they make camp at the bottom of the pit. From there they set up watch and hopefully regain what they can from the days trials and tribulations. While on watch, Barrett sees the silhouette of a massive human chatting to itself and sniffing loudly. It takes a tentative step onto the stairwell. The stairs put up a loud grunt of strain.

At this Barrett quietly wakes up the rest of the party. As he is quietly waking the party those awake hear the bark of an order and then this massive wolf taking orders from this huge "person". A few rounds of rapid preparation and the wolf is bounding down the stairwell.

Churchkey and the wolf go head to head. The wolf throws Churchkey to the ground. Conell charges up the stairs to aid Churchkey taking a swing at the hound. Others move into key positions and shoot at the giant on the stairs. Bolgrim uses this opportunity to make a magical mace attack the giant whacking at it and drawing blood. At this a 30 pound rock comes rocketing toward Connell. People hear a sickening crunch and Connell is moans. He luckily resists the take down of the wolf but is still severely bloodied by the thing.

Attacks begin to concentrate on the wolf. Connell tries one more round of combat but makes his way off the side of the stairs. Bolgrim boosts Connell with shield other. At this, it is Donner's turn. He is also able to resist the wolfs take-down but not the savagery of its bite. Nor the devastation of the boulder the crashes into the side of his head.

The wolf lasts for no more than a few more seconds and the Vanguard pushes their bodies against the walls protecting themselves from the rain of stone from above.

The Giant charges down the stairs. The stairs drop loads of sand and gravel as the weight of the creatures causes them to shutter.

The giants club is devastating. It can't seem to miss and tosses the brave warriors about. Donner is knocked almost to nothing. Connell in his attempt is tragically beaten but Bolgrim magically takes half the damage. Bolgrim swallows hard at the devastation of what Conell is taking.

Healing, and a strategic balance of trying to surround the giant goes into play. It takes a bit which causes Conell and Bolgrim to suffer another round of terrifying pain. But then all are in place. Churchkey swings swiftly and accurately cutting deep into the back of its legs. Barretts chain lacerating its arms and torso. Donner darts in and out distracting the giant and damaging him at the same time. Beams of destruction emanate from peppers hand and healing is being dispensed without prescription or doctors order from Bolgrim.

The giant finally falls. That next morning the party is stiff and sore. They are tired yet refreshed from their recent success. Two mighty foes felled by their bravery and skill. They have learned a lot and what they have learned they are now putting to practice.

Getting a late start to the day, they remove the hydra corps and make their way into the fissure. The fissure opens up into a slanted cave that heads deep into the mountains. the system is huge. Ceilings are high and cavern are wide. At times there are shafts that dart off in different directions.

After about a 1/4 of a mile they run into what looks like a well used tributary cavern. Definitely not the major rout, but used recently. They do some investigating but realize there is nothing of interest down the corridor.

A bit later they enter a larger cavern. Other exits jut off from this 40 foot wide cavern when out of the darkness their is a flash and three of the Vanguard are jolted by the power of the electric charge. They draw weapons and jump to action. They see a partial humanoid/spider levitating into the air and a mass of webs entangles the group.

Churchkey is altogether out of the web and attempts to destroy the creature but can not reach it. Bolgrom, stuck, casts a freedom of movement and quickly exits the web. Others slowly make their way towards safety. But the going is tremendously difficult and slow.

With only two of the Vanguard to stop this strange and revolting hybrid, Bolgrim dowses the creature in a searing light. With a wave of the creatures hand, it commands Churchkey to leave the cavern. Churchkey feels a subtle want to leave but brushes it off and gives a crass but arguably appropriate response to the creature. Bolgrim again dowses the creature in the light of Pelor.

At this the rest of the Vanguard is slowly escaping the webbing. The creature jolts both Bolgrim and Churchkey with another bolt of lighting and rises another 20 feet higher. The rest of the party attacks and without much trouble, it comes crashing down violently to the cavern floor.

After a bit of searching the party heals up and continues down the cavern system. They can feel the humidity rising and the dirt underfoot is damp and well churned. The walls of the cavern are wet and long ribbons of calcium deposits decorate the walls.

The party then looks down 200 feet at a briny phosphorescent lake. It must be at least 1/2 a mile across. On the opposite side there is a strange building with odd angles and organic structures. It has a stairwell rising out of the briny bottom and into a giant mouth, making the entrance to some large building that looks like a giant prehistoric amphibian of some kind.

The group makes their way slowly down the switchback of stairs that take them to the bottom of this cavern. The lake is murky and a the water warm, making a mist cover the lake.

Peering over the lake at the structure there is no evidence of life, nor are their any boats on this side of the lake. A few moments pass when out of mist a huge canoe paddled by large toad like creature expertly parks the boat. He then croaks something and sits on his haunches. Unlike the picture, he is not holding a weapon, but there is one readily available.

Nervously looking for a clue as to what to do, the party looks at each other. Conell then takes the plunge and steps into the canoe. The unstable boat wobbles and bobs but does not tip. Churchkey raises his hand sliding his fingers together in the gesture of money. Conell mentions the name of Zenith. It croaks some unintelligible response to Conell, that no one can understand but Bolgrim was able to hear the word Blipdoolpoolp contained within his words.

At this the Kua-Toa expertly poles the canoe and then switches to a paddle. The 6-10 minute journey is silent. The canoe is tippy and those in armor are more than nervous. As they get closer to the stairs that lead out of the water the Kua-Toa switches back to a pole and saddles the canoe sideways into the stairwell.

He anchors the Canoe and silently leaps into the water with only his huge eyes exposed above the water. He watches the party as they say their thanks and begin making their way into the fishes mouth.

NOTE: The wacky stairs are a bit of an artist gone bad. ignore all the crazy stairs with the exception of the main stairs going into the mouth. Otherwise it is pretty accurate.

Umberhulks? Deceit and Dragons? Oh whats the world comming to?

Thanks to the literary prowess of Mansir, we have an update far sooner than expected. Thank you and thanks to your writing abilities! It took no more than a few name additions and a few additional facts for this post to become a reality. Mansir... your so cool you are Bolgrim!


"Found it" Barret grudgedly sneered from the low-lit space.

"That sneaky lil bastard had it the whole time. Cripes, I have no idea how anyone could sleep with those things mucking aboot. The short bugger even had a bed made from webs. Ack!"

After much ballyhooing around the caverns and avoiding horded swarms of small arachnids and other crawly denizens, the party finally returned the remaining wands to the Cauldron. The water there was contained and in time the rain wisped away to a petty mist.

The party had some free time to themselves for a change. Donner went back to work, as did Bolgrim. Churchkey met his leading lady with a newfound fervor. Connel returned to help at the orphanage and was given a hero’s welcome from the children. Pepper spent time at the building site of the new cathedral and in his studies. Barret once again did what Barret does. No one knows for certain, and few are brave enough to question him.

The party learned their aged paladin friend had been traveling to and from the Demon Scar. He remains something of a mystery still, rumors are he has returned a man perhaps tainted? Cursed or not, he remained unavailable until another time.

There was also a noted increase in the number of guards. It turns out the new tax was being used to hire 1/2 Orc mercenary guards. So far they seem to be doing a pretty good job.

They have also been impacted by a whole new tax system: this was brought to the forefront by an issue of the Cauldron Broadsides.


Time passed while the party enjoyed being in the daylight again. Ah, beautiful daylight. Pelor graces us with these glorious days after the rainfall.

Barret has purchased part ownership in a bar.

Everyone went for an afternoon lunch in his newfound establishment. The party gathered to discuss their future plans and newly found wealth over some warm food, when Donner and Bolgrim noticed a distant low echo from... underneath? The water in the glasses rippled faintly.

Donner decided to step out for some air and ease his curiosity. There were the crowds shopping, buying goods from the butcher across the way. Down the street near various storage houses, young kids watched a puppet booth, laughing and lost in the show.

Brick and wood exploded across from the children. Dust billowed into the air and screams ensued as people ran around in utter chaos.

The party quickly sprang into action! Pepper, Churchkey, Bolgrim and Donner went out the front door and was met by panicked mobs of townspeople. Barret vanished out the back, while Connel followed quickly.

The clouds of powder and residue cleared, the large monstrous creature more then the height of two and a half men, swung its massive insect like arm into a corner of a building instantly tearing it down. Mandibles and a shell like hide bristled with extra spikes and nasty bits and protected it from any falling debris. The eyes, not two, but four total gave off a radiating gaze aura. Donner started to babble incoherently. Churchkey valiantly strode up to meet the hulking, dark burnt umber colored menace.

The crowds behave strangely, some running away, others pouncing on each other, yet while others just stood there in utter confusion.

Barret arrived from the shadows and aided Churchkey in trying to bring the beast down. Connel plodding down behind the rogue, had a strange cumpulsion to severely strike down a villager in the way. Spiked chains cracked and light erupted. Swords met tough carapace as half orc guards joined in the fray and screams and yelling continued. Chaos ensued and more buildings were brought to ruin.

Then, the creature plowed straight down into the ground, through solid rock and completely vanished.

The party gathered closer together and tended to the wounded. Connel in a fit of guilt brought the dying man to consciousness and profusely apologized to the villager with the gaping chest wound and promptly healed him. Barret quickly put his ear to the ground.

“I hear it.” He said.

The party and the guards prepared for the monster again. They steadied themselves as the thrumming got louder.

Another explosion erupted from inside the other warehouse, and within seconds the wall was demolished in front of the party. The umber hulk emerged and was quickly beaten. As the body now lay lifeless, the crowds gathered. People were healed and a search inside the warehouse by Barret revealed the ground adorned with sigils. Later it was confirmed the creature had been summoned. No one knew who, but suspicions erupted rumors of a rider leaving town on a horse whose hooves didn’t touch the ground.


Later that night the Vangaurd gathered again at the Slippery Eel. Lady Taskerhill decided to play a show to sooth the masses and bring about some calmness that had befallen the area earlier. Lots of locals and nobility showed up to witness the event.

The party was approached by the lovely Celest and presented an invitation for a future business endeavor. She asked the party to meet her and her business associate at the Cusp of Sunrise, the most upper class establishment in Cauldron.

The party accepted and later went to the meeting hall. The establishment welcomed the party with Celestes' invitation in hand. The drinks were meticulous and food was utterly amazing. Some low stress gambling ensued, but more as a social event. Later the party was directed to a private backroom where their dinner would be served.

The ancient dwarf sat, propped up by pillows. The dwarf seemed proud, yet seemingly fragile all the while. In between gasps of breath, he informed the party of his request. He had three sons that he stubbornly drove away. His wife, unhappy she never was more a part of her offspring’s lives due to his bull headed ways, cursed him on her deathbed. He seemed wracked with pain and struggles everyday while this curse remained. Two of the sons have been found. The third, named “Zenith” has been located in the Underdark.
The city sealed up the current way into the caverns below, but the party learns there may be and opening in a fissure. Celeste and aged dwarf, Davked, tell them of an old hermit... Crazy Jared. He lives atop a peak about 4 days walk north of Cauldron. Find him and you will find an entrance into the Underdark.

With that, the Vangaurd sets out on foot.

After a long hike, the party starts approaching the peak, not entirely certain what to look for. Donner notices a quick bright red flash on the horizon that quickly vanishes, followed by a distant rumble.

Connel and Donner start sprinting ahead of the party, certain whatever they witnessed concerns what they came here for.

Churchkey summoned his mount, and grabbed Pepper and bolted after them. Bolgrim and Barret trodded behind them eager to catch up.

The dragon dove down and spewed scorching flames down atop the old man, then furiously roared past him, and whirled around to approach him again.

The hermit laughed maniacally “You double crossing deal breaking overgrown wyrm snake!”

The flying fire lizard, yelling some unknown tongue, bore down on him and belched out another stream of fire that seemed to dissipate around the old man, who continued laughing as the makeshift terrain around him was enveloped in flames.

Some party members drank hiding potions, others went into a quick stealth approach. However, as the remaining members of the Vanguard came over the cusp of the clearing, the dragon reared his head and roared, “You brought friends?”

“Yes! Yes! My army of knights has finally arrived! Hurray!” yelled the hermit boldly to the drake.

In an awesome display of speed the fire lizard approached the party seemingly ready to incinerate them.

Arrows flew through the air, some making their mark. Churchkey fearlessly called the creature out to face him. The party started to mistakenly convene in a small area as the dragon ripped through them dousing some members in a searing trail of flame, and bellowed past them ready to make another approach.

The hermit was furiously running toward the party.

Churchkey trotted forward, lance in hand, and whirled around taunting the creature,” Face me, you coward!” The creature only continued on its path, now enveloping itself in a blue shimmer. Donner called out for healing, and the rest of the party members readied with arrows at a second attack.

Bolgrim ran up to Donner, infused him with the healing power of Pelor, then declared,” Get the hell away from me!”

The hermit was still running toward the party, getting closer. And he was singing!

The dragon bore down a second time. Arrows found their mark, the monk released some mystic energy, and prayers were said. It released a bellow of fire and singed some more party members, then started to make a strategic withdrawal from the fray.

As the winged menace retreated, the old man yelled out in victory, thanking his newfound knights, and invited him into his glorious kingdom… of scorched rocks and smoking bushes?

With a quick wink and a spoken word, the countryside was seemingly transformed into a huge palace, very luxurious and complete with dining chambers. The party started to ask the old man questions and then the hermit told the most fascinating stories with very animated gestures and amazing detail. After a long and arduous process they finally got some answers.

The Vanguard of the Cauldron received a handmade map of the entrance to the Underdark..."The Pit of the Seven Jaws"

Dun DUN duuuuuuuuuun.

Stay tuned for what happens next...