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Time is on His Side
Prelude
Adventure Summary
Lieutenant Dan shifted nervously from side to side, trying to get his armor to settle perfectly on his hips. He trusted Malik of course, for the man was his superior and battle-tested besides. He knew Malik's friends and he knew they were necessary as certainly as he knew they were dangerous.
He had seen them in action before. Ferrol lashing out with little reason killing men indiscriminately, Ulrich with his noble bearing and belief in might over right, Shane Lee, the mysterious master of martial arts whom some whispered had been punished by his own gods. Worst among these by far though was Toglard. Tales of his temper and fiery devastation which followed were the stuff of nightmares and camp tales told to frighten young soldiers. Of Gusmer he knew little save that he might be a heretic.
Still these were the men that were needed for the mission. He was certain Malik would not have brought them if it were not so. The legendary impetuousness of Toglard had been proven already as he had wished them half a world away on the rumor of the ring, not bothering to find out what manner of guards there were or even the name of the current guardian. Even as they advanced up the hill he couldn't help but feel naked without any intelligence and missing half the gear he'd have liked to have on this mission.
They entered the cavern and were immediately greeted by orcs, Toglard launched a ball of flame and it was absorbed by the very walls of the cavern even as a furious drumming began from deeper in the cave. Gusmer joked of a cave troll in a way that told Lt. Dan he'd never fought one. The others girded themselves for battle as spells flew to no avail.
Toglard wished for an end to glyphs and his second round of spells rang true killing many. Even as the first three score died, five score more entered the caves and the battle was joined anew. Lt. Dan did his best to maintain discipline and keep a good order to the men, but it was clear that only he and Malik had paid any attention to training. At first he thought Toglard had too, but he soon realized the man was more lazy than tactical.
Even as the battle ended Lt. Dan felt himself and the others gripped by powerful magics and suddenly they were gone from the cave and back in the tower. Toglard wasted no time in wishing them back and renewing the fight.
This time though he seemed angry and disappeared almost as soon as the battle was joined. The others fought well and the orcs were killed and still no sign of the poltroon. Lt. Dan would have docked his pay and declared him a deserter, but Malik was notoriously easy on these irregulars.
They pressed through the cave and found a room with another five score orcs drumming and chanting. Their music was whipping two large demons into a frenzy. Twice Gusmer dismissed the demons and twice they found themselves stuck in a time loop. Still no sign of Toglard.
The third time they ignored the demons and pressed on then found another set of demons. Gusmer left another set of enemies behind making the group ethereal and moving forward. They cleared the second demon room and rejoined Toglard in time for all of them to take a well-earned rest.
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