Session 2 - Part 2 - Dude!!!! We soooo almost had you!

The group returned to the exact spot where Eli was found and they each searched the area with a fine tooth comb, the only thing they were able to find were a mass of very tiny holes in the dirt as if something had be burrowing through the soil.

With nothing more to work with Ox decided to take up his pickaxe and began digging at the mass of holes in hopes that maybe it might reveal the source or at least reveal a clue they could work with.

A further 5 hours had passed when part of the ground they were digging finally gave way and collapsed into a small underground cavern, nothing seemed to move in the darkness of the cavern as Leonid and Ivan attempted to peer into the gloom beyond from above. Leonid took it upon himself to be the first of the group to drop into the cavern doing his best to use the shadows of the cavern to hide his descent just incase it wasn't as empty as it appeared to be.

Unfortunately for Leonid his hunch was correct just as he landed on the cavern the creature that lurked in the darkness sensed the tremor of Leonid’s impact on the ground and instantly launched an attack at him. This large creature (Biter Mother) almost resembles a boar but has small worm like critters crawling over its back allowed its little ones (Burrowing Biters) to drop off its back and begin to wiggle they're way towards our solo hero.

As the Burrowing Biters dramatically and slowly wiggle towards Leonid, Ivan decides to join the fray and drops down the hole whilst Govan against the wishes of Sionaas fires off some magic towards the small critters. Assuming that the small biters were to slow to worry about Leonid jumped the gun and rushed the Biter mother only to be gored by one of its tusks critically injuring him and forcing the Rogue to slowly step away from the fight as Ox jumps into the fray to distract the creature.

A minute later the mother and her biters are no longer an issue and the group make they're way out of the hole to report back to Sionaas about their encounter. The conversation was short and loud, as spells had been cast the wizard refused to pay the group the agreed reward as they had breeched the agreed contract. With some intimidation from the Ox and the two thieves’, Govan manages to get the wizard to hand over the dosh and asks them to take on another "small" quest for him.

The quest, to take a leather bounded tome to the Mage's guild within the city of Azelton..as simple as that! Well it would have been. As the group made their way back towards Poisson they discuss amongst themselves the purpose of the Wizards excavation and that maybe the answer could be found within the bounded tome now in their possession. After a intense and super short battle of morals once Ivan revealed that he had "borrowed" Sionaas' signet ring (less than 5 seconds I'd like to point out) the tome was cracked open and Govan began flipping through the pages in the lantern light as they headed back to town.

The mystery was solved...it appeared that Sionaas was after an very powerful planar magical intelligent artifact, so intelligent it seemed that if it detected magic within it's proximity it could relocate itself on any plane of existence! Now most adventuring parties would be interested in acquiring this item themselves but not our misfits oooh no!

After reading the tome and now back in the town they headed to the only Inn at well past midnight, as they waited for the Innkeep to awake to their knocking on the door an idea was hatched. The shiftier poised of the group mentioned that if Sionaas could afford his own tower and excavation then maybe he is really well off! And that there could be a mass of riches up within this tower completely unguarded whilst Sionaas over looks the excavation each day so they decided to sleep on the matter and discuss once refreshed from a nights sleep.

The next morning on route along the coastal road leading towards Azelton the group came to the split in the road which leads to Sionaas' tower. Leonid & Ivan really wanted to attempt to raid the tower, Ox and Govan were still 50/50 on the matter and Maria was dead set against having involvement in the matter. So they decided, off to the tower they headed the plan was Leonid and Ivan would sneak in and acquire what they could whilst the over two would lounge around outside to keep an eye on things incase it got out of hand.

There it stood the tower in its entire splendour but something seemed off. Sionaas was no where to be seen amongst the now almost empty excavation site but still confident in their skills the stealthy duo continue with the plan to raid the mage's tower. In hindsight the first clue to Leonid and Ivan should have been that the front door to the tower was unlocked but the pair didn’t think much to it.

Slowly and quietly they made their way up the spiral staircase until it finally ended in the only door in the tower, the large oak door stood closed in front of them at the top of the spiral staircase. Now being cautious Ivan retrieves an small mirror from his pack and wiggles it under the door in attempt to get a quick sneak into what lays in wait on the other side of the wooden portal.

What Ivan saw next should have been the next clue that something wasn't right. From the limited view the mirror would give him, Ivan could see a large room adorned with large leather chairs, desks, large book cases and various stuffed mounted heads. Feeling a little nervous Leonid took his time while carefully and quietly attempting to open the large Oak door.

Inch by Inch the door slowly crept open without a single sound; once there was a large enough gap to stick his head through Leonid was able to see that oddly the room beyond the door appeared to be a lot larger than it should be compared to the size of the tower. It was indeed richly decorated and gave the impression of a well to do mage. Standing over a desk with his back to the door stood Sionaas as he looked over a number of parchments completely unaware that 2 thief’s were currently watching him from his own doorway.

Ivan and Leonid backed away from the door and descended the stairs a little to discus a plan of attack, it was a simple idea Ivan would lend one of his poisoned covered darts to Leonid being slightly more accurate would then take a shot at Sionaas. The aim was true and the shot connected critically in the back of the neck, Sionaas felt the back of his neck and pulled out the dart before swaying and then falling to the ground as the poison took effect.

Not believing their luck the 2 thieves ran into the room, Leonid started to search the place for anything of worth whilst Ivan stood over the stunned Sionaas and positioned a dagger just about the wizards heart incase the poison should wear off. 60 seconds later Sionaas' eyes snapped open! Ivan sent the dagger plunging but he was too late, the wizards spells of protection kicked back into force just in time to deflect the dagger from its target.

Sensing that things were about to turn for the worse Ivan backed away from the now angry Sionaas hoping for the chance to escape, Leonid seeing that the wizard was now awake and moving took refuge behind one of the many desks in the room hoping to avoid being noticed. Sionaas was obviously not happy with the intrusion and attempt on his life, with one flick of his wrist Ivan found himself frozen in place unable to move any muscle in his body and therefore unable to run for safety.

Sionaas then turned to Leonid, "You insolent fools!! Did you really think you had a chance to take me the power Sionaas!! you have 30 seconds to collect your friend there (pointing at Ivan) and vanish from my sight for good before I engulf you within a Fireball of pain". Not needing to think twice about this opening Leonid dashed towards Ivan and grabbed him as the wizard released the 'Hold Person' spell and then the pair proceeded to run down the spiral stairs back towards the main road leaving the others standing outside the tower wondering why such haste.

After a weeks travel the group finally found themselves standing outside one of the main gates to the city of Azelton the capital and largest city in the realm. Little did Bob the city guards man know this would be the worse day to stand guard at the entrance......poor Bob...poor poor Bob.