The nalfeshnee demon, named Zuvuzeg, welcomes the party into the room. He describes his quarters as a prison. Apparently, Izomandakus bound him here until the demon made the Master Transmuter laugh, cry, shriek, and cheer.
Through a long conversation, the party cautiously learns more about the Vault of Greed. Eventually, they come to a decision: they agree to try and free the demon in exchange for information on the Runeforge. Zuvuzeg also agrees to detail them on what he knows about the second Runeforge as well.
As it turns out, the transmuters in the Vault of Greed were ordered to construct a second Runeforge well that could protect their leader, Karzoug, from Earthfall. Unfortunately, their efforts weren’t entirely successful.
Fyn recalls his Dispel Magic spell, but is unable to free the demon. Lucky for them, the demon has been waiting a long time to be freed. He can wait a bit longer.
The party continues down the hallway to where the demon described the second Runeforge well being. However, when they open the door, Ordikon is waiting for them.
The Metal Meets the Road
Immediately, Ordikon blasts a ray of disintegrate at Trace. It hits him square, but doesn’t turn him to dust. Fyn quickly Hastes the party and they begin to move into the room to confront the Mithral Mage.
Krask provides the usual covering fire, while Barnaby and Fobias charge their foe with lethal intent. The mage is surrounded by swirling silver mist, absorbing some of the incoming blows. That’s when Fobias’ world gets turned upside down.
Literally.
The gravity reverses, forcing Fobias to grab hold of Barnaby lest he fall upwards to the ceiling. Richard isn’t as lucky; the wolf’s body smashes into the domed ceiling with a crunch.
Fyn continues trying to disperse the swirling smoke with his acid darts, and he manages to take a few down. Trace, still weak from the disintegrate, grants his allies the ability to Smite Evil with their attacks, which turns the tide in a big way; their attacks now make it through the DR, and benefit from additional damage.
Ordikon, obviously perturbed and slightly out of his mind, casts another devastating spell: prismatic spray. Trace takes a bout of fire damage, but the real consequence comes with Krask and Fobias.
They begin suffering from insanity.
Fobias, in his addled fervor, begins attacking Krask. Over and over, his sword comes down on the kobold. At the end of it, Krask is severely injured.
Trace puts Ordikon down and the others rush to hold Krask back. Fyn begins to heal, even as Krask attempts to squirm free and punch Fobias in retaliation.
As this is going on, Barnaby is unnerved by the opulence of the Vault of Greed. It overwhelms him, and he takes several points of drain in his mental abilities.
How will the party cure their madness? What powers does the second Runeforge hold? Is anyone up for a swim?