You spin me right round

Lots of games sessions cancellations due to the weather, but now we're back. And with a sunday afternoon special coming up, expect an influx of blog entries!

So, let's get this party started...

The Curse of the Crimson Throne

Part 15: The Labyrinth

We descended a spiral staircase that lead into a cavern. The cavern was more like a shaft, with a ledge running around the outside, and rope bridges attached to ledges that descended the shaft. The sound of water lapping at a shore echoed from the darkness below.

A well tended underground garden spread before us. Brightly coloured molds and fungi grew on the ledge, each patch beautifully shaped and manicured. Our druid gasped at the beauty of the vista.

However, with every beautiful scene, there has to be something to counterbalance it. Out of nowhere appeared three large zombie-like creatures covered with fungi and mold. They attacked us ruthlessly with with large scimitars and asphyxiating spores. Reg waded in with his mighty sword, Veyron's dinosaur companion (who had grown a great deal since I had last seen her) leapt at another, and Adam launched an assault at the third with his fists.

Soon the fungus zombies were destroyed, and we were able to continue our descent.

On one of the ledges Reda discovered a secret door. Beyond was a narrow corridor.

The corridor eventually lead us to a large set of doors, decorated with tiger motifs. As Reg touched them, they swung open silently, revealing the entry to the Vitrified Labyrinth that Bahor had told us about.

The labyrinth was a complex of rotating rooms and lethal traps. Adam took the brunt of the biting tiger head trap, but managed to avoid the spinning blade fountain. Sabelle succumbed to a painful magical symbol on the floor. Zonda (the dinosaur) fell foul of a deadly corridor of wailing maidens.

What perverse pleasure did Bahor get out of this place? Was he watching us and laughing? Was he placing bets as to which of the group would die first? He was a twisted man.

Suddeny, as we entered another room, we encountered our friend Vencarlo Orisini. His clothes were tattered and he looked exhausted. He told us that Bahor had more than a twisted mind. Bahor was a monster, hidden under an illusion of a man. Vencarlo insisted that we return to the palace above and confront and defeat Bahor.

So, we returned to the palace. Vencarlo said that Bahor was probably in his bath at this time, so we went upstairs. And there, in a beautifully decorated marble bathroom we found Bahor, without his covering illusion. He was a tall, muscular man, but his head was that of a tiger. He was a rakshasa! A demon from Vudra! We should have guessed, with the palace decorated in the Vudran style.

Vencarlo screamed at us to kill him, so we took arms and attacked. He was a powerful opponent. Despite wearing only a bathrobe, he was very difficult to strike.

Then Vencarlo surprised us. He let loose a ray of scorching fire from his pointed finger, setting Bahor alight. The rakshasa fought on, but he was seriously outnumbered, and Vencarlo let loose another scorching ray. The old man was full of surprises. I had assumed his was simply a well trained swordsman.

Suddenly, and without warning, Adam struck the rakshasa square in the chest with all his might. There was a sickening crack, and everyone stopped. Adam's hand was sticking out through Bahor's back, the rakshasa's heart in his hand. Even Adam looked surprised at his incredible attack.

Bahor's body slumped to the floor. The silence that followed was broken by Vencarlo laughing. Something was not quite right with his voice. It was too high. As he laughed louder, he transformed. This was not our old friend who had lead us here to kill Bahor, but another rakshasa. This one was a beautiful woman, but with the head of a fox. "At last!" she cried, "my brother is no more. The Arkona dynasty is mine to rule!"

We had been duped. What were we to do? Do we let this demon live and let her rule House Arkona in disguise? Or do we kill her and end her reign before it begins? A decision had to be made, and made fast.

What was that decision? When you return, I shall enlighten you...