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Fountain of Flame (Session #8)

While the group was resting from their battles, Whistler realized that he had a scroll with a spell that would return the strength to one of his debilitated compatriots. He decided to cast the spell on Kerzog since he is the primary warrior in the group and they would be in trouble if they fought more of the dragonkin without him at full strength. Whistler used the scroll to cast restoration, then the continued their rest.

In the morning, Grundel was still greatly weakened, although he did feel marginally better. Grundel searched the door leading deeper into the complex and he found a pressure plate just in front of the door, unfortunately he was unable to disable the plate. The group decided to open the door anyhow. When they opened the door, the pressure plate depressed and an alarm sounded. As the bells rang, three dragonkin rushed though the door attacking furiously. The group was able to defeat them quickly since they were unable to maneuver within the cramped space in the antechamber. The dragonkin had injured Kerzog a bit so the group decided to secure the door and rest to replace the spells cast on Kerzog to heal his injuries.

While everyone was resting, Grundel used his cloak of etherealness to scout the deeper into the complex. He found some strange statues blocking different passages and the also found a water filled shaft leading deep into the rock. Grundel ethereally descended about 100 ft. into the water before he had to turn back. He found nothing in the water, including a bottom to the shaft. 

After the spellcasters were sufficiently rested to regain their spells, the group continued deeper into the complex. Warily, the group approached the statues figuring that there was a possibility that the stautes would animate and attack the heroes. The statues were blocking the corridor as Grudel had explained, but the group was able to squeeze past them. They didn't animate and attack, so the group continued to the water-filled shaft. 

Approximately 10 feet above the water line there were two passages cut into the rock. Grundel went ethereal and strolled up to the passage to the right. Kerzog removed his armor, climbed up to the passage, and threw a rope down to Whistler and Cassandra. There were two more water-filled shafts that the group had to traverse. Then they came upon a shaft with no water. 

Grundel passed ethereally to the passage leading away from the first dry shaft, and threw a rope to the others. Whistler and Cassandra climbed across with Grundel supporting the rope. Once the three smaller party members were across, they all were able to support the rope for Kerzog to come across. They had to traverse two more dry-shafts before coming to a steam-filled passage. Grundel scouted the passage ahead ethereally and found that it dumped him into a room with three small, horned, dragon-like creatures. They were unable to detect him, so he searched the room carefully and found that there was a secret door. He stuck his head through the wall and saw the fountain that the group was searching for. He rushed back to the group and he and Whistler cast spells that would allow them all to endure the steam from the passage leading to the dragon creatures.

As the group approached the room, Whistler saw the dragon creatures and recognized them as horned felldrakes, good dragon creatures that live with the elves. When the drakes saw the group, they moved into a defensive posture but didn't attack. Whistler spoke with the felldrakes, trying all of the languages that he can speak before stumbling across the sylvan tongue.

Whistler told the felldrakes the exact nature of the group's quest. The lead felldrake told Whistler that they would have to pay to enter the fountain chamber.  The group gave the felldrakes all of their coins and gems, and were allowed to enter the chamber. When the door opened, the entire chamber was bathed with bright light. Instead of water, the fountain spewed multicolored gouts of liquid flame. Whistler told Kerzog to immerse the sword. Hesitantly, Kerzog lowered the sword into the thick, flickering liquid. He felt a jolt of energy flow into the blade and up his arm, then there was a flash and the group found themselves outside the complex, standing within the boundaries of the draconic silhouette on the ground.  

The went to the rendezvous point and Fenius returned them to headquarters. They brought the sword to Carl McKann, the father looked at the sword then presented the sword to Kerzog to wield. Father McKann reimbursed them for the wealth that they paid to the felldrakes, then the group fell back into the routine of Arkhan.      

Next: Trap