The Rescue

Through adversity the Serpentine Fire pushes on thanks to the efforts of Yngwie, the only survivor of the massacre. Upon returning to Waterdeep he sets about forming another adventuring party to rescue his comrades. However, news travels fast as the destruction of the cities of Athkatla and Miran filter into the city.

Within days word spreads of the failed mission of the Serpentine Fire. Strong adventuring parties want nothing to do with a rescue mission while the inexperienced are not an option for Yngwie. Disheartened, he does what he can to raise funds for a paid expedition into the Underdark. What little treasure he and the party once possessed vanished with the foolish pull of a "ruin" card.

Months pass before Yngwie secures the proper funds. He then learns of a new adventuring party based in Silverymoon. They are regional heroes looking to advance their skills. Rumor has it that they were responsible for uncovering the conspiracy of the Arcane Brotherhood to bring about the return of the Eldreth Veluuthra. Indeed, such a powerful group as the Silver Legion would be a great choice but perhaps the task, not worthy of their time.

Yngwie reluctantly sends word to the group via the Mage's school. Fate has it that Gonzo was a former acquaintenance having been trained by the same Archmage. A successful meeting is arranged and plans drawn up for an assault on the Fire Giant citadel. They agree to give no quarter to the enemy but to rescue all those imprisoned below.

Consisting of two arcane mages, one druid, and three frontliners, the party is well prepared as they leave on their mission into the Underdark. Arcane power crackles as they are instantly transported to a predetermined location on the outskirts of the citadel. The party includes Yngwie, Gonzo, Bim, Gunthar, Terjon, and Cho.

Concealed by magic they enter across the long, spiked bridge by floating carpet. There are only a few guards at the gate so they remain concealed until a patrol pattern can be discerned. The guards rotation leaves the front gate unguarded for less than a minute. In the meantime, the tower watches the bridge. At the designated time, the party slips past the large barred gate as the guards normal rotation takes place. Making use of magic and common sense they pass without notice.

Now in place, they hit each room, quickly dispatching all encounters. The area is familiar to Yngwie and he helps them to bypass traps and dead ends always heading directly down. There are a few surprises but the rogue disables them.

They are near the entrance to the Underdark when they come upon the slave pens. Previously cleared by the Serpentine Fire they are now partially filled with prisoners. All are humanoid but only a few are alive as it seems the jailer had forgotten to feed them. The prisoners are freed but flee in fear and panic never to be seen again.

Soon, the party soon arrives at their destination - the dragon's lair. Entering the area, they spot an ancient red dragon fast asleep on its treasure hoarde. With prior knowledge from Yngwie the Silver Legion launches a quick assault on the creature doing no visible damage. Then without warning the area fills with gas. Their actions have set off the trap.

The deadly gas blasts forward catching all those in the area. Through quick movement the rogue and monk escape unscathed while the others apprise the situation. Gonzo recognizes the trap as a partial glamer and immediately warns the party of the illusionary dragon. He is unable to focus further however as another blast covers the his quarter of the room.

Terjon, the rogue uses his trap finding skills to search for the source of the gas. He is assisted by the monk (Cho) who eventually notices something along the back wall. Upon closer inspection the two are attacked and a battle ensues.

Concealed from view the enemy attacks then launches its deadly gas attack. Both masters of evasive manuevering, the rogue and monk leap out of the way and try to target the creature. The others stay out of range and continue to look for clues on its location. Together the party triggers several attacks that connect with the beast forcing it to become visible.

In time, the battle turns in favor of the party and they are able to slay the creature. Gonzo recognizes the creature as a gorgon and suggests leaving the dungeon with haste. As Yngwie surveys the petrified bodies he knows only two can be safely restored. The others are either completely shattered or have been partially consumed by the beast.

Losing no time the mage calls upon his arcane power to reverse the effects of the deadly spell. In an instant, Storm and Nilz are transformed back into flesh. They fall to the ground in fear and confusion. The party brings them up to speed as they thank their rescuers and old friend.

The Serpentine Fire officially disbands as a three man party consisting of Yngwie Sidious, Tirion Storm, and Nilgwyn Efogee. They are absorbed into the ranks of the Silver Legion where Yngwie has replaced Gonzo as party mage. Storm and Nilz leave for Tethyr to investigate the civil strife and visit their families.

Fallen Comrades

Membership has waxed and waned over the course of the adventure. Many have paid the ultimate price in battle. There have been little if any happily-ever-after moments as the road to glory has been plagued with tribulation and treachery. Without their sacrifice there would be no Serpentine Fire and no Bard to honor their deeds in battle. The fallen include these members: Glaive, Sabina, Tharkill, Cullen, Falth I, Dorian Grey, Falth II, Alyssa, and the Bladesinger. I'm sure a few are missing but I can't recall their names.

Serpentine Fire

The Serpentine Fire started out as a 4-man crew comprised of fighter, mage, cleric, and bard. Founding members included Blaine, the brash young fighter, Yngwie, the secretive mage, Calera, the divinely attuned (DM NPC) cleric, and Nilgwyn, the aloof bard.

Back in 2nd edition, traps were a big problem for would-be adventurers eagerly seeking glory and loot. They were no exception. Without a true rogue the party relied on a combination of the bard's roguish abilities along with combined efforts of arcane and divine magic. On occassion, a well placed shield rush followed by healing also did the trick.

They worked well together growing in experience and knowledge. But in time they would become reckless, seeking power and glory and forgetting their honor. It was then that the evil of greed would eventually gain a hold on the party leading them down a path of personal destruction.

Greed

The Serpentine Fire failed in their final mission against the giants. Their task was to warn the cities of the impending attack led by the fire giant king himself. Sadly, the party doesn't fail in storming the castle but rather in a chance encounter with a gorgon.

At the time of the quest, the party is over confident. Having enlisted the support of a freed titan they continue to dominate all enemies in their path. The drow, ogre mage, undead, and giants are no match for the Serpentine Fire as the clear out each room in the castle dungeon. In fact, the dungeon leads into the Underdark so the party remains reckless as they blindly rush forward. They take no heed from a very close encounter with deadly rakshastas that claims the life of Glaive who is consumed in magical fire.

In their final battle, the party's greed consumes wisdom as they realize their path has taken them into the lair of a dragon. Upon closer inspection, they find it is an Ancient Red Dragon gleefully asleep on its hoarde of treasure. Providence would have lent some caution to the experienced members but lining their pockets seemed to be more important.

The party (everyone) moves into the room after a succesful search for traps is made. They carefully plan the destruction of the giant beast and soon begin to launch a surprised attack gaining all the benefits thereof. As each blow and every magical effect is made, the dragon simply turns and continues to sleep.

Suddenly, the room fills with gas causing a more concerted effort on the hapless monster. The attacks do nothing but soon party members are seen writhing in pain. One by one, they begin a slow, painful transformation into stone replicas of themselves. Some fall to the ground shattering into pieces while others remain in lifeless poses. This first of these are the two cohorts and the evil Duergar mercenary.

Now, where once stood the victorious party of nine there was chaos. Remaining members press on. Some search for an escape route. Others continue the battle, still believing the dragon to be the threat.

Hoping to find refuge, Dorian Grey (the Illusionist) and Tirion Storm (Divine Ranger) move deeper into the lair. They pass the dragon and head for the corner wall where they believe an exit exists. But they too are overwhelmed by the effects and fall.

Dorian is first. Stopping just short of the wall his momentum causes a hard fall collapsing his body into pieces. Storm is much more fortunate as he falls against the wall before the transformation completes using part of Dorian's body to keep him elevated. Seeing the bad turn of events unfolding too quickly, Yngwie panics and struggles for a spell to cast.

The titan realizes the dragon is a clever illusion but can do nothing for the party. He grabs what little he can before leaving the area in search of an escape route out of the Underdark. Nilz sends his scout owl to find an exit but before it can return he too succumbs to the gases magical effects. As Nilz turns to stone he positions himself against the entrance to the lair cursing the arrogance and foolhardiness of the party. He knows they were too greedy and it cost them.

Yngwie is left with a devastating decision. Knowing the cost of wildly teleporting within the Underdark he calls upon the arcane power and immediately appears above ground but somewhere to the north. The elements are severe and he struggles to find shelter from the storm. He is depleted of spells but remains hopeful that he will survive the night and return to Waterdeep where he vows to plan a rescue mission for his fallen comrades.