Return from the Azure Pits

Ale and wine flowed freely at the back table of the Bone House, but the mood  was not light. The party's mission into the Azure Pits to recover the stolen Cloud Gem was a success and the plans of the cultists of the Blue Dark were thwarted. But the artifact of Durik's order was recovered at a heavy price….

Art by the Great One

Poor Boarface was the first casualty. While walking along a ledge deep in the caves of the Azure Pits, the porter was caught by the sticky filaments of a pair of cave fishers and hauled up into the darkness. His screams were brief and with no way to reach him, the party moved on. His loss was especially tough for Fretta.

Then Durik fell, struck down by the spiked club of a one-eyed cave troll. It was to aid the cleric and his church that the party ventured into the darkness of the Azure Pits. But the other clerics of the Order, Therapon, Rhea, and Karpos convinced the party to continue, reminding them of the uncut sapphires that gave name to the Pits.

Shortly after the loss of Durik, a six-eyed cave hunter pounced on the party and Imorfin the elf was killed. The loss of his brother-in-arms stunned  the party's leader, and Thowin spoke to his companions again about their desire to continue. They voted to carry on.

After surviving a few more encounters the party found what they sought in a huge chamber deep in the heart of the Azure Pits. The foul cultists of Nag-Roop were in the middle of performing a ritual, the Cloud Gem held high, as a black tentacled monstrosity from the bottom of the Pits was called forth.

Art by Matt Morrow

The final battle ensued, and this time luck was with the party. The ritual was stopped and the cultists were killed. The Cloud Gem was retrieved, and the foul, tentacled beast was sent back into the Pits. Unfortunately, young Bursus was caught and dragged down into the darkness.

Having completed their objective, although at great cost, the party began the long trek back to Enharza….

Back in the Bone House mugs and goblets were raised, toasts given, and sorrows washed away. But what next for the companions.....

Foes Defeated	Treasure Recovered
5 Orcs	Helm of Protection +1
3 Rock Beetles	2800gp of uncut sapphires
7 Cultists of The Blue Dark	Spell book (3 spells: Allure, Magic Missile, Magic Mouth)
3 Necrotic Leeches	Sword +1
Crab Spider
7 Skeletons
One-eyed Cave Troll
Cave Hunter
Tentacled Horror of Nag-Roop