The party started the session outside of the Crystalline Caves.
After more discussion and insults, the party gave Teak back his pipe and journal but pretended that they had not found his spellbook.
After more banter, Teak told the party that he had to gather the Grey Cloaks and make a push for the Grey Citadel.
As king, he said that he had to secure the Lock first to protect D’Hara. Next, without violence, his plan was to make a political push for the throne.
He headed back into the Silverstand Forest but promised to meet the party at the Grey Citadel, which he explained was a fortified city on an island at the top of a waterfall.
He further explained that the Lock was hidden at the original Grey Citadel’s ancient location, which was not the same place as the city called Grey Citadel.
He explained that the citizens of the Grey Citadel town would not be happy to see him or the Grey Cloaks because their new ruler drove out the Grey Cloaks, and they feel like they were abandoned. Thus, he would be in disguise the next time the party saw him.
The party cautiously entered the cavern and saw all manner of crystals growing from the surfaces and emitting a soft light, making torches unnecessary.
Soon the party arrived at a large crystal that attempted to dispel Argone’s magic tattoo.
The party placed all of their magic items in Avari’s ring and snuck past, but the baby kobold climbed the crystal as they did. The party had to retrieve her, but River banged the girl’s head on the crystal. It was of no concern, given the bullywug’s observation that one can drop a baby on its head 9 times without any worry.
The party continued and found the portcullis with a golem on the other side.
The baby kobold rushed towards the bars, thinking they looked like fun to climb, but Kriick was able to scoop her up before she got too close and possibly set off the trap the party had been warned about.
The party next found a magic crystal orb guarding a side passage that crackled with lightning.
After throwing coins and other things at it, the party was surprised by a gelatinous cube that tried to engulf the baby and Kriick.
Kriick reached in, pulled out the baby, and dashed away.
The party quickly hacked down the cube but River was burned with acid.
The party threw pieces of the cube on the magic orb, and a chlorine smell developed as the electricity destroyed the cube material.
Finally, Avari cast a spell to melt stone, which caused the crystal orb to fall over and explode.
With the passage clear, the party found a room with crystals that, after inspection, were confirmed to be magical and used for the creation of magic items. Some party members took parts of the crystals but also suffered some short-term effects.
The party pressed on and found some kobolds mining.
The kobolds were worried about being caught not working and didn’t talk to the party for long—but long enough for the party to learn that their queen had been captured.
The party took an uneventful short rest and pushed on.
While climbing up a cliff, they encountered a huge frog- bull combination monster that backed down as Argone stamped his foot and blew smoke out of his nose.
The party continued until they came to a massive cavern with a man-made temple.
The party cautiously approached the closed door of the temple and observed kobolds trying to drive an elephant and a dinosaur across the vast cavern.
The party remained hidden until the kobolds moved on.
After listening at the door, they heard female draconic voices yelling at each other.
They opened the door and saw 2 demon rats and a female demon screaming at a bound, richly dressed female kobold.
Combat erupted, and the party ended up battling 11 demons in total.
It was a long, hard fight, and was challenging because casting spells in the temple did not always result in the desired outcome.
Jon Marston was bitten and clawed into unconsciousness while Kriick, with the female kobold, battled the main demon.
Near the end of the fight, one of the rat demons grabbed a magical book and teleported away.
The main demon tried to flee but was stopped by Feng’s thorn whip and hamstrung spells and then finished off by Avari.
The party found a key and a very grateful kobold female named Queen Seika.
