Another One Bites the Dust
Party: Coine, Flynn, Grumbar and Urzein
Short Synopsis
Coine, Flynn and Urzein prepare to travel with Omar to find a relic, the Eye of Kalim. Omar has also hired Grumbar, a dwarf warrior, to join them on their expedition. They travel to the Nahla’Shira Oasis and save Layla Baseri from a giant scorpion. Later, they see a strange mirage of robed figures performing a ritual. Omar recognizes it as the ritual for the Eye of Kalim.
They travel into the desert and are ambushed by bandits. During the battle, the heroic Grumbar is slain. The rest of the adventurers barely manage to survive, and they decide to head to the Friary of St. Amahl in hopes that they will be able to restore Grumbar to life.
Long Synopsis
Omar, the relic hunter, introduces Grumbar to Coine, Flynn and Urzein. As they travel to the ruins of Zin’Athar, they spend some time getting to know each other better. Omar is searching for the Eye of Kalim, which was created by a powerful djinn, in the hopes that it will help solve the contamination of the waters.
After an uneventful trip, they arrive at the Nahla’Shira Oasis, also known as the Oasis of Forgotten Echoes. They meet Jafar who explains that the waters are sacred and are rumored to contain echoes of forgotten memories.
They hear screams from a merchant caravan that had recently left. The party rushes to find that the merchants have slain one giant scorpion, but another one has escaped with one of their companions. Without hesitating, the adventurers plunge into the dark lair of the giant scorpion. Urzein charges forward and the giant scorpion attacks him. Coine casts *faerie fire* on the scorpion to make it easier to see. A *witch bolt* bursts from Flynn’s fingers to strike the scorpion.
Grumbar attacks the scorpion from the rear with a might blow. Recognizing Grumbar as a dangerous foe, the giant scorpion turns and concentrates its attack on him. Its powerful pincers crush Grumbar and the dwarf warrior bites the dust. While Urzein distracts the scorpion, Coine heals the fallen dwarf. Flynn continues to send pulsing magical energy from the *witch bolt* and a *sorcerous burst*. Coine finishes of the scorpion. They revive the woman who was taken and learn that her name is Layla Baseri. They find a gemstone and harvest a poison sac from the scorpion.
Urzein returns to the Oasis of Forgotten Echoes and prays to the spirits. Later that night, they see a mysterious mirage play out upon the lake. Robed men are chanting and making gestures as part of a ritual. Omar realizes it is the ritual for the Eye of Kalim. As a group, the party is able to figure out the chants and the gestures.
Next day the adventurers march towards the ruins. Ain’t no sounds but the sound of their feet. Coine and Grumbar see movement up ahead. Urzein moves ahead to investigate, but is attacked by arrows. Coine uses a *jump* spell to confront the bandits hiding on a plateau, but finds himself outnumbered and surrounded.
Urzein takes down one bandit and nearly kills another one. He gives it a chance to run away and the bandit takes it. Flynn continues to use his magical powers to blast away at the energy. The little halfling is still learning to control his powers. Sometimes Flynn’s attacks barely singe the enemy, while at other times, the attacks are tremendous blasts of arcane energy. Grumbar sees Coine surrounded and rushes up to help the gnome druid. The bandits surround and stab at Coine and the gnome bites the dust. Grumbar charges up and slams himself into the bandit captain. The angry dwarf takes the bandit captain and himself over the plateau to crash onto the ground. Although seriously injured, the Bandit Captain attacks Grumbar. There are plenty of ways that you can hurt a man and bring him to the ground. The Bandit Captain stabs with a dagger and the dwarf bites the dust. One of the bandits tries to strike down Urzein, but ends up overextending himself and Urzein pushes him over. Urzein rushes Coine a potion, then jumps down next to the Bandit Captain before the bandit can attack Flynn. While Urzein occupies the Bandit Captain, Coine and Flynn attacks the captain. Although they manage to take down the bandit captain, Grumbar passes away on the battlefield.
The party is shocked at the loss of Grumbar. They gather 60 gold pieces from the bandit They also find a note from the Veiled Knives that mentions the Eye of Kalim. The note is from Sira al-Muzafir.
Now the adventurers head towards the Friary of St. Amahl in hopes of resurrecting the fallen Grumbar.
