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The Marked - Session 12 - The Demon Mine
6 years ago
Continued from: https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/9174764/
Red Crystal. As tough as adamantine and deadly to living creatures. Physical matter in prolonged contact with red crystal is soon converted to more red crystal. Flesh and steel, earth and stone, nothing is safe from being 'reclaimed' by the Progenitor's infection.
Infected demons and angels patrolled the skies surrounding the Demon Mountain, their pained screams in odd concordance with each other. Viciously aggressive, they tear into uninfected creatures with insane ferocity and unnerving coordination. Like puppets on razor strings. Their bodies steadily converting more and more to red crystal.
Fortunately, our heroes had snuck past most of these aerial defenders, and approached an entrance to the Demon Mine, a vast and hazardous mine infested with demons and brimming with red crystal. Large deposits of minerals and stone had been converted to red crystal, offering a look into an aberrant reality where everything is but a variation, a facet, of one monstrous entity. Crystal claw marks everywhere, as converted creatures rip gems, ore, and more from the surrounding bedrock, gouging out a chaotic network of tunnels. Collapsed tunnels are everywhere, and the ferocious screams of pained and tortured infectees are a constant companion through the crystal-streaked passageways of the mine.
The entrance our heroes found was bristling with massive crystals like the maw of a toothed worm. The bright red glow of these crystals suggested that the Progenitor's potent essence was strong here, heightening the danger of entering the mine. No defenders seemed present at first, but a warning shout from Tanner kept our heroes from being surprised as a half-crystal Advanced Nabasu demon emerged from hiding as one of the crystals. Using its telekinetic powers to rip massive crystal spikes from the mountain and hurl it at our heroes, they also had to contend with its life-draining gaze that inflicted negative levels, and the threat of infection from its powerful claws. To complicate things further, a Mass Hold Monster spell it launched upon its first turn hindered the ability of some heroes to fight. Tiamothy found himself paralyzed for most of the fight, but Talan and Tahlis were able to defend him while Tanner provided ranged support.
With the destruction of the creature, the crystals dimmed, and our heroes entered the mine. The threat of imminent collapse of every section of the mine was apparent - it appeared that demons had simply torn out massive chunks of stone with no regard for structural integrity, though where they had taken what they found was a mystery. Only traces of the original mine was left with tiny bits of worked stone chunks, or splinters from support beams remaining to suggest that at one point in time this had not been infested with demons and sentient creatures worked here. Finding a small side-area not occupied by much more than a few streaks of dim red crystals embedded in the walls, the party catches up with Tahlis on what they had experienced and what she had uncovered on her investigation into the Elven College of Transmutation. (Specifics available in previous entry).
After drinking a series of powerful potions provided by Tanner, and a select few spells cast by Tanner's cohort, the halfling cleric of Yondalla named Fanny, our heroes strode deeper into the mine. They were on a mission to destroy as much red crystal as possible and end the demonic operation here to spread the red crystal infection. They entered into a room with two massive 'gems' of red crystal, over twenty feet to a side, embedded in the floor and glowing brightly. Razor-sharp shards of crystal covered the ceiling, resonating tonally from the screams and roars that echoed from other chambers. Exits included a tunnel to the south leading down, and a tunnel to the west leading up.
However, as the party attempted to pass by, the massive gems began to glow brighter, filling with a malevolent sentient power. Recognizing that they were in danger, they began to strike at the crystals, in an attempt to disrupt the psionic power that was collecting within them. Yet, the power discharged before they could be destroyed, culminating into two powerful Astral Constructs that began to attack our heroes with powerful slams and concussive blasts of psionic force. The massive crystals began to glow again, but a powerful Shout from Tiamothy and the slashing blades of Talan and Tahlis rent one asunder before it could summon again. Unfortunately, the explosive Shout caused a shower of razor crystals to fall from the ceiling, slicing into the party and inflicting bleed damage. Thankfully, most managed to dodge, and the damage was healed, with thankfully no signs of infection. A third Astral Construct appeared as the second red crystal boulder discharged its power, but soon it was destroyed and the constructs dispatched.
Surrounded by the echoes of screams from the stairs leading up to the west and the stairs leading down to the south, our heroes decided to ascend up in search for the source of corruption and destroy it.
Red Crystal. As tough as adamantine and deadly to living creatures. Physical matter in prolonged contact with red crystal is soon converted to more red crystal. Flesh and steel, earth and stone, nothing is safe from being 'reclaimed' by the Progenitor's infection.
Infected demons and angels patrolled the skies surrounding the Demon Mountain, their pained screams in odd concordance with each other. Viciously aggressive, they tear into uninfected creatures with insane ferocity and unnerving coordination. Like puppets on razor strings. Their bodies steadily converting more and more to red crystal.
Fortunately, our heroes had snuck past most of these aerial defenders, and approached an entrance to the Demon Mine, a vast and hazardous mine infested with demons and brimming with red crystal. Large deposits of minerals and stone had been converted to red crystal, offering a look into an aberrant reality where everything is but a variation, a facet, of one monstrous entity. Crystal claw marks everywhere, as converted creatures rip gems, ore, and more from the surrounding bedrock, gouging out a chaotic network of tunnels. Collapsed tunnels are everywhere, and the ferocious screams of pained and tortured infectees are a constant companion through the crystal-streaked passageways of the mine.
The entrance our heroes found was bristling with massive crystals like the maw of a toothed worm. The bright red glow of these crystals suggested that the Progenitor's potent essence was strong here, heightening the danger of entering the mine. No defenders seemed present at first, but a warning shout from Tanner kept our heroes from being surprised as a half-crystal Advanced Nabasu demon emerged from hiding as one of the crystals. Using its telekinetic powers to rip massive crystal spikes from the mountain and hurl it at our heroes, they also had to contend with its life-draining gaze that inflicted negative levels, and the threat of infection from its powerful claws. To complicate things further, a Mass Hold Monster spell it launched upon its first turn hindered the ability of some heroes to fight. Tiamothy found himself paralyzed for most of the fight, but Talan and Tahlis were able to defend him while Tanner provided ranged support.
With the destruction of the creature, the crystals dimmed, and our heroes entered the mine. The threat of imminent collapse of every section of the mine was apparent - it appeared that demons had simply torn out massive chunks of stone with no regard for structural integrity, though where they had taken what they found was a mystery. Only traces of the original mine was left with tiny bits of worked stone chunks, or splinters from support beams remaining to suggest that at one point in time this had not been infested with demons and sentient creatures worked here. Finding a small side-area not occupied by much more than a few streaks of dim red crystals embedded in the walls, the party catches up with Tahlis on what they had experienced and what she had uncovered on her investigation into the Elven College of Transmutation. (Specifics available in previous entry).
After drinking a series of powerful potions provided by Tanner, and a select few spells cast by Tanner's cohort, the halfling cleric of Yondalla named Fanny, our heroes strode deeper into the mine. They were on a mission to destroy as much red crystal as possible and end the demonic operation here to spread the red crystal infection. They entered into a room with two massive 'gems' of red crystal, over twenty feet to a side, embedded in the floor and glowing brightly. Razor-sharp shards of crystal covered the ceiling, resonating tonally from the screams and roars that echoed from other chambers. Exits included a tunnel to the south leading down, and a tunnel to the west leading up.
However, as the party attempted to pass by, the massive gems began to glow brighter, filling with a malevolent sentient power. Recognizing that they were in danger, they began to strike at the crystals, in an attempt to disrupt the psionic power that was collecting within them. Yet, the power discharged before they could be destroyed, culminating into two powerful Astral Constructs that began to attack our heroes with powerful slams and concussive blasts of psionic force. The massive crystals began to glow again, but a powerful Shout from Tiamothy and the slashing blades of Talan and Tahlis rent one asunder before it could summon again. Unfortunately, the explosive Shout caused a shower of razor crystals to fall from the ceiling, slicing into the party and inflicting bleed damage. Thankfully, most managed to dodge, and the damage was healed, with thankfully no signs of infection. A third Astral Construct appeared as the second red crystal boulder discharged its power, but soon it was destroyed and the constructs dispatched.
Surrounded by the echoes of screams from the stairs leading up to the west and the stairs leading down to the south, our heroes decided to ascend up in search for the source of corruption and destroy it.
