We retreated 500 feet to the dungeon area we had originally come out of on reaching the river and determined to rest. As we did so, we encountered another adventurer floating towards us, a Cleric by the name of Konrad. He seemed strong in character and belief in his God of Skimming Pebbles Across Ponds, but lacked a certain level of wisdom and perhaps common sense. Nevertheless, he was a welcome addition.
We set up watches and tried to sleep, but were rudely interrupted by a party coming down the long corridor. We set up an ambush on the landing and when they came through, we saw large humanoid individuals, a bit primitive, armed with large bone weapons. We attempted to communicate first and were greeted by grunts but no animosity. They admired our equipment and Konrad joined in on the assorted grunts and jumping up and down, which seemed to go over okay. Eventually, we understood that they wanted us to follow them and we did, though not without trepidation. One led, Konrad followed him, then three more, then Mandras in case his trusty axe was needed and then the rest of the party. As we approached the intersection where we had killed the gelatinous cube, the lead primitive let out a roar and charged forth followed by his companions and Konrad, Mandras followed up. They slammed into two Ogres. The lead primitive was clubbed to death by a monstrous bone implement. Konrad, amazingly slew one and Koko held the second, which was then set upon by the rest of the primitives and slaughtered. The bodies were collected with some smacking of the lips by our new friends… not much need to wonder about their intent.
We found ourselves at the octagonal room we had fallen into a few short days ago (though it felt like eternity now). We took a door we had not previously explored and after westwards meanderings, we reached a torchlit room populated by primitives with a brooding tall barbarian in their midst, bedecked in a purple carpet (sic!). Derdiwinky III greeted us in a stentorian voice. Hats and Koko recognized him as someone we had rescued in a previous expedition. Rituals abound in this room and conversation could only happen through whomever held the “talking skull”, nevertheless the welcome was warm. Sadly he knew no way out and seemed content to rule here, if one could call it that. After telling him our tale, his eyes went ablaze at the idea of the Ivory Tooth Clan being a local rival and enthusiastically launched a crusade against them.
We feasted in celebration on roasted ogre… a bit tough and stringy, but food. Some of us woke up refreshed and full of fight (+ 1 on attack rolls for a day) whilst others felt decidedly queasy (-1 for the day). Oh well, Mandras was glad for his gastric fortitude.
We returned the way we came, reinforced by Chief Derdiwinky and his 14 subjects. On our way we encountered one of the hairy ones from above, who was simply swept under foot. Arriving at the subterranean river, our allies seemed to get cold feet at the idea of an aquatic escapade, but were coaxed onwards. Eventually we reached the ledge where we had first encountered the Ivory Teeth. Mandras was exhilarated as he felt a surge of personal experience course through his veins (reached level 3).
I can drop the map/screen shots if deemed of little value!
