Labyrinth OOC

[Nocturno]

*Brings over a bundle of firewood* Burn this instead.

I know how you feel. Don't be using your last but if brain power on us.

[TristenC]

Lol, thanks man

[Lord Torath]

Heh. My kids were just sharing the meme with me.

Let us know if we can do anything to help! If there's nothing, at least know that we're rooting for you!

[Nocturno]

Tell us you're American without telling us you're American

[Lord Torath]

Tell us you're American without telling us you're American

<sigh>
Not sure how far we can go here, so I'll just say I'm not feeling optimistic about the next 3 3/4 years and leave it at that.

So, Noct, would Jack be interested in a gem that flattens his blade, but has a 1-in-20 chance of breaking it? Or should I offer it to Ke'Sha? As soon as we get to the morning of the 5th, We can have the actual conversation in the IC thread.

[Nocturno]

I'm Canadian so it doesn't look great from up here either lol.

What do you mean flatten?

[TristenC]

Yeah, not supposed to talk politics on the website. That said, it's pretty difficult to ignore the current tension between the U.S and the wider geopolitical community at this time

[Lord Torath]

Yeah, not supposed to talk politics on the website. That said, it's pretty difficult to ignore the current tension between the U.S and the wider geopolitical community at this time

Noted. And I tend to agree. If I want to talk politics, there are places on the web I can do so. I always hate getting on Battlenet and having all these other players pushing their religion at me when I'm just there for Starcraft II co-op. The last thing I want is to come here and have someone pushing some political position I vehemently oppose when I just want to play D&D.

What do you mean flatten?

It's called Dimension Blade. It flattens the business end of almost any weapon, making it two-dimensional - even blunt weapons (whether that violates religious strictures against non-bludgoning weapons I will leave up to our esteemed DM to decide ). The fun part is that the weapon is +2 to hit and damage and ignores physical armor. You get dex and magical defense bonuses (so this power is much less effective against Bracer of AC:X or the Armor spell), but nothing else applies. You can even slice through stone columns (not sure how this power interacts with a Stoneskin spell either - probably gets blocked and strips off a 'skin' as normal for the spell).

You roll a d20 when you want to use it, and you need a 17 or lower to get it to work. On a Power Score result (17), you inflict double damage, but on a Nat 20, your weapon shatters.

Stephen can, with additional effort, make one that doesn't have the shatter chance, but he was trying to put this one together very quickly, so it's not his best work.

Tristan, regarding Identity Penetration, you said the following:

If it showed who they think they are it could make some confusing situations like a person polymorphed whose mind is gone, or a person who was brainwashed magically into believing they are someone else. I'd say somewhere locked away deep in the subconscious the knowledge of who they were is still lingering, even if they can't access it. So the power would show their original being/identity.

With that said, could Psychic Surgery restore the mind of someone who lost it via Polymorph Other? It specfically works to undo memory loss from the Mindwipe power, and if their original identity is still down there somewhere, could this bring it back?

[BishGada]

First thing, TristenC, we all understand being burnt out. No stress from our side. I come, check for updates, and totally OK with no updates. (Just sometime worried that something more than the usual hard day may happen.)

Regarding Polymorph other, I love both polymorph versions! I just wanted to mention that according to the rules, if you take thousands of mice or ants and polymorph them into dragons, some would survive (natural 20 or 1 whatever you count) lose their mentality (very low int) and become full dragons (all magical and physical abilities). Nice way to restore extinct species. And if you are powerful enough to control them, you've got yourself an army.

Regarding whether they keep the knowledge of who they were, somewhere deep in their subconsciousness... I'd say it depends how do you define "knowing who they were". Is it part of their mentality (on that case I'd say it is gone according to the spell description)? Is the creature full physical and magical abilities also define "who it is"? Is this knowledge part of their soul? Is the soul separate from the mind? There is nothing like philosophy to say "I've no idea" but keep the appearance of being smart.

[Lord Torath]

That's assuming, of course, that you have thousands of Polymorph Other spells available, and that you (and your un-polymorphed ants) can survive a slew of dragons who are too dumb to know when not to use their breath weapons. And are probably too dumb to take orders. Sort of interesting as a thought experiment, but less useful in actual play.

Tristan, have you made any plans for the future hosting of this game after August 25th (assuming the site goes dark per the SHUTTING DOWN SITE FOREVER / TAKE OVER OF PADnD.COM announcement).

[TristenC]

Taking over responsibility for the site It's certainly something I'm considering, and certainly a level of commitment I need to weigh carefully

[Lord Torath]

Regarding Polymorph other, I love both polymorph versions! I just wanted to mention that according to the rules, if you take thousands of mice or ants and polymorph them into dragons, some would survive (natural 20 or 1 whatever you count) lose their mentality (very low int) and become full dragons (all magical and physical abilities). Nice way to restore extinct species. And if you are powerful enough to control them, you've got yourself an army.

A close reading of the spell description says that your dragon army of one-time ants/mice would have the hit points and saving throws of said ants/mice, and would go down to a hearty sneeze. I would suggest they would also have the Hit Dice and THAC0s of their previous forms as well, but the spell doesn't explicitly say that. Probably a DM's call.

[BishGada]

The polymorphed creature acquires the form and physical abilities of the creature it has been polymorphed into, while retaining its own mind. Form includes natural Armor Class (that due to skin toughness, but not due to quickness, magical nature, etc.), physical movement abilities (walking, swimming, and flight with wings, but not plane shifting, blinking, teleporting, etc.), and attack routines (claw/claw/bite, swoop, rake, and constriction, but not petrification, breath weapons, energy drain, etc.). Hit points and saving throws do not change from the original form.

A subject acquiring the mentality of the new form has effectively become the creature whose form was assumed and comes under the control of the DM until recovered by a wish spell or similar magic. Once this final change takes place, the creature acquires the new form's full range of magical and special abilities.

The description shows distinction between polymorphed that keeps mentality and polymorphed that loses mentality.
Indeed HP and S.Th. seems to be overlooked under the full transition, although it doesn't make much sense.

[BishGada]

Hi.
I took the links to the posts (not all, just the main thread, so it is not complete work, and not fully accurate. there is also a limitation of the number of source in the free version) and added them as sources to NotebookLM and asked it to create a book-style story from it, taking Lord of the rings or Dradonlance as inspiration.
Here is the result. Hope you like it.
There is also the audio "interview" that notebooklm creates. I'll try to upload to drive and share the link if you would like it.

Chapter 1: Into the Depths of Snakes and Bones
The group stood at the entrance to the natural cavern, which had become a winding approach to a strange, subterranean labyrinth. After initial hesitation, the decision was made to proceed. Ke'Sha, the halfling necromancer with his faded coat and bone ornaments, took charge of the preliminary scouting in a manner that expressed his selfish but pragmatic nature. He sent his skeleton ahead as a vanguard, using 'spectral senses' to perceive through its eyes, and his loyal quasit, Gur, to fly forward invisibly with innate magic detection ability. Behind, Rror, the monstrous zombie-bear, guarded the rear. Ke'Sha himself used 'Air Walk' to avoid treading on the ground and 'Cloak of Bravery' to defend against fear. Allikhain, the elegant necromancer, also sent her quasit, Binky, to join the preliminary scouting.
Axid, the grumpy dwarven psionicist, was the first to descend into the snake room using his levitation ability. Despite his concerns, his magic detection and infravision (befitting a dwarf) revealed nothing but a well-carved stone. He called for the others to descend, confident that the place was not dangerous. The rest of the group, including Landro, Jagrinder, Jack, and Braiden, descended to the snake room, the skeleton struggling to maintain stability on the chain bridge, finally reaching the bottom. The "Continual Light" from a magical stone provided by Allikhain cast disturbing shadows, adding to the ominous atmosphere.
Jack, the quiet and vigilant human thief, began examining the snake carvings on the floor, looking for irregularities. He soon discovered four hatch openings covered with round lids, each with a snake-shaped handle. He attempted to open one. Twisting or pushing did not help, but pulling released the lid like a modern manhole cover. Beneath it was a round opening that dropped about 6 feet into a circular room approximately 30 feet wide, its floor covered with gnawed bones. Inscriptions were visible on the walls but were difficult to decipher without entering. An archway led from there elsewhere.
The events and potential dangers prompted discussions about caution and preparation. Ke'Sha, despite volunteering to send his servants to investigate, expressed disdain for slow progress and hinted at the potential of the party members' bodies for creating stronger servants. Allikhain cast 'Rary's Telepathic Bond' to allow the group to communicate mentally, hoping to prevent dangerous splitting up. Ke'Sha had difficulty concealing his dark thoughts via the telepathic link, transmitting disturbing images before suppressing them with Gur's intervention. Axid refused to join the telepathic link, stating he did not like others "poking around in the depths of his mind".
Jack and Landro descended into the first hatch discovered by Jack. Ke'Sha threw them a rope and instructed them to tie themselves off in case they needed to be pulled back, although Jack refused to be tied so as not to be hindered. They found a spiral staircase without a handrail, descending around a central pillar, with a large gap to the empty side leading to an immeasurable fall. The stairs were slick and Jack proceeded very cautiously, checking for traps. Gur flew down invisibly and reported that the stairs descended about 100 feet, a journey that would take Jack over an hour. He detected no magic but saw a door at the bottom of the pit.
Ke'Sha, impatient and "somewhat annoyed that he had to do it himself", descended after them, using 'Air Walk' to avoid stepping on the stairs. He cast 'detect traps' and scanned the area. He reported to Jack that any trap triggers (if present) seemed to be only on the floor. Jack confirmed this appeared to be the case. At the bottom of the pit, Ke'Sha and Jack discovered a door. Ke'Sha scanned it but sensed no danger. As he examined it more closely, Ke'Sha realized it was a false door. The hinges were solid with the wall, the gaps extremely thin, and the door lay completely flat against the wall. It was likely a trap intended to lure into the other traps in the room.
Ke'Sha ordered Jack to retreat and quickly returned to the group in the snake room. Landro returned to his full size (as the effect wore off naturally). The group reassembled. Despite the time lost examining the false door, the group decided to check the next opening, on the northeast side of the room. This opening led to an 8-foot diameter vertical shaft with a ladder descending into darkness. Ke'Sha and Gur discovered that one of the rungs on the ladder, about 20 feet down, glowed, indicating some kind of magical trap.
Chapter 2: The Attack of the Trolls and Black Puddings
While the group considered how to deal with the trap on the northeast ladder, Axid sensed the presence of living creatures coming from an opening, identified as hatch D. He decided to use his psionic powers. He created a 'dimensional door' on the floor near the opening from which the creatures were arriving. The door opened as a hole in the floor, a shimmering silvery-gray surface. An invisible creature exiting the opening fell through the door, and a truncated scream was heard from far away. Axid hoped the door would transport them high above the room's edge, causing them to crash upon falling.
The trolls attacked with their iron rods. When struck, the globes at the ends of the rods broke, releasing amorphous creatures of black pudding. The puddings attacked nearby creatures, causing significant damage. Ke'Sha's zombie-bear, Rror, was attacked by a pudding and quickly destroyed. The zombie-ogre, Ho, took damage from a pudding and was also destroyed. Two of Ke'Sha's skeletons were also destroyed in the fight. Ke'Sha attempted to cast 'Regeneration of Undead' on Ho, but he was destroyed before the spell was complete.
Landro, with his immense strength and massive magical (+4) two-handed sword, was highly effective against the trolls. He bisected two trolls with powerful blows. He also killed a black pudding that attacked him. Zum and Rror (before being destroyed) attacked trolls. Jack attempted to backstab but failed with a critical miss, dropping his sword, but managed to strike with a magical dagger. Axid used 'Control Flame' to enlarge a fire caused by Jag's flaming arrow on a downed troll and direct it against a living troll. He tried to control another troll, but it was too strong.
Ultimately, after a difficult battle that took a heavy toll on Ke'Sha's undead servants, all the trolls and black puddings present were defeated. Ke'Sha suggested throwing the troll bodies through Axid's 'dimensional door' so they would heal on the other side, but the 'dimensional door' ceased to exist. Gur, despite his constant mental complaints about his master, attempted to drag one of the troll rods, containing more black puddings, away from the group.
Among the defeated trolls, useful items were found: magical rings (possibly of invisibility, as the trolls had appeared), magical armor, an ioun stone (a purple and green stone) and climbing spikes. Also, the body found at the bottom of the first pit was discovered to be a human body wearing a fine suit of chainmail armor and bearing the first sigil from the list tattooed on his arm. It appeared the person had starved to death after being trapped in the pit.
Chapter 3: Back at Camp: Schemes, Plans, and New Connections
After the battle and the initial investigation of the openings, the group made a strategic decision to return to camp to regroup and consult. The journey back was long. The magical effects that had aided them, like Ke'Sha's 'Telepathic Bond' and 'Air Walk', and Jack's 'Fly', wore off along the way.
Upon reaching the camp, they met Lena Gallus, the paladin in charge of the scepter and the camp, and a new individual: Steven, a human psionicist from the Stormlands. Steven offered his assistance in a friendly manner. He was an expert in "The Way" (psionics), with an emphasis on mental aspects, in contrast to Axid, who focused on physical manipulation. He offered to create permanent mental links with party members, allowing them to communicate with the camp and Lena herself. This link would not be time-limited like the telepathic spell but would exclude other psionicists like Axid due to their different mental training. Landro and Jack agreed. Jagrinder declined, preferring Allikhain's bond. Ke'Sha agreed with some reluctance but hinted that Steven might not be able to "handle it". Steven made a jibe at Axid, offering him soap, which prompted Axid to respond sarcastically about the smells in the labyrinth and in the company of the undead.
Steven also offered to enhance Landro's weapon with his powers and assist in transporting supplies and reinforcements to the camp. He even mentioned the possibility of improving Axid's 'dimensional door' ability for longer travel distances without disorientation.
The group engaged in lengthy discussions about the necessary preparations before returning to the labyrinth. The suggestion arose to return to camp for "a few days" to better organize. Ke'Sha wanted to use the time to acquire stronger undead, perhaps even a juju zombie, and consider using his knowledge of diseases to weaken enemies in the labyrinth. Others objected to the disease idea due to the risk of spread. Jagrinder and Allikhain spoke of the need to identify the magical items they found.
The most significant discovery from their brief time in the labyrinth was the connection to the sigils inscribed on the scepter. Axid and Gur received a sigil when they touched the snake statue or the sigil handle. This sigil allowed them to see a door that was previously invisible, indicating that the sigils grant the ability to interact with a different "layer" or "frequency" of the labyrinth. Jack, Landro, Jagrinder, and Allikhain also decided to receive the first sigil (touching the snake statue). Even Binky, Allikhain's quasit, received a sigil after realizing he could not pass through the "invisible" door without it. Ke'Sha raised the possibility that all 20 sigils were needed to fully understand or pass through the labyrinth, and the concern that each sigil might reveal "thousands of parallel dimensions".
Chapter 4: Questions from the Underworld and the Universe
In an attempt to gain more information about the labyrinth, the scepter, and the lurking dangers, the group turned to higher powers through divination spells and contact with other planes of existence.
Gur, Ke'Sha's quasit, used his weekly ability to perform 'Commune' with the Lower Planes. Ke'Sha formulated complex yes/no questions, despite Gur's loud complaints and stubborn opposition, who dismissed the questions as "stupid questions" and even a "bar joke". Ke'Sha insisted, appeasing Gur with a promise to create an undead servant for him upon request. Gur, slightly placated, translated the questions into Abyssal cant, adding "flattery, pleas, whimpering, and some curses and mockery aimed at Ke'Sha where needed". The answers received were partial, and many were "Unknown". The abyssal creatures did not know if the sigils could be tracked or used to control the party members. They confirmed that the sigils were related only to the labyrinth. They confirmed that plunging the scepter into the pool would not cause harm beyond freeing Sorril. They did not know who would be safer in the labyrinth, a mentally defended or physically defended individual, or who would be more effective, a magic dispeller or a physical fighter. They only stated that it was "Probably" better not to try and fight everything encountered, hinting that avoidance might be preferable. Gur, after the communion, fell to the ground twitching "like a fish out of water", causing Steven to wonder about the "level of care" the abyssal creatures showed towards their agents.
Allikhain used the spell 'Contact Other Plane'. She chose to contact Ibrandul, also known as "The Lurker in the Darkness," "Lord of the Dry Depths," "Master of the Dark Places in the Earth," and "God of Pandemonium itself". She performed a ritual involving calling upon the deity. This summoned a tremendous windstorm in the camp, causing commotion and panic. Allikhain's eyes clouded over, and she spoke in a rasping voice as she relayed the questions and answers. The questions posed to Ibrandul concerned the best plane or power to contact for accurate answers about the Labyrinth, whether learning about Dyris and Im-Ravin would help solve the Labyrinth, whether Sorril had been transformed into a serpentine horror, whether plunging the scepter would restore Sorril to his natural form, whether there was a sage on this plane who knew about the Labyrinth/Dyris/Im-Ravin, whether sigils could be detected without "dungeon crawling", whether the sigil effect could be bypassed by planar travel, and whether Sorril's psyche was damaged such that he wouldn't recognize his rescuer.
The answers from Ibrandul were concise: He (Ibrandul) was the best power to contact. Information about Dyris and Im-Ravin was "Doubtful" to help. Sorril had not been transformed into a serpentine horror. Plunging the scepter into the pool would "Probably" restore Sorril to his natural form. It was "Unknown" if there was a sage who knew about them on this plane. Regarding detecting sigils without crawling, the answer was "Maybe". Regarding bypassing the sigil effect with planar travel, the answer was "Doubtful". The question about Sorril's mental state was not ultimately asked within the spell's limits. Allikhain felt the experience was like a hurricane but did not appear to suffer mental damage. Lena, the paladin, was annoyed by the lack of preparation at the camp, and the group concluded that the questions provided very little useful information, beyond confirming that Sorril was likely okay and could be freed via the pool.
Chapter 5: The Necromancer's Project and Unexpected Outcomes
Ke'Sha, dissatisfied with being left without effective undead servants after the battle with the trolls and puddings, decided to use the time at camp to create a stronger company of undead. He particularly wanted to create a juju zombie, which were said to be intelligent enough but completely submissive. He also planned to recruit strong animals and animate them as monstrous zombies, and possibly also reanimate the troll bodies they had found.
To obtain a "fresh" body for the juju zombie creation, Ke'Sha planned a macabre project. He wanted to summon a Fire Elemental and ask it to bring an unconscious local person from the nearby tribes. He would then drain the victim's life and reanimate them as a juju zombie. He shared his plan with Allikhain, requesting her assistance as a fellow necromancer and warning of unexpected dangers. Allikhain expressed skepticism, noting the risk of forest fires and the difficulty for a creature of fire to transport a person. She suggested it might be better to send a zombie-troll to find someone, or even go themselves. Ke'Sha rejected these suggestions, insisting on the small chance of summoning an 'Efreet' who could grant a wish, and devising contingency plans for failure or loss of control over the elemental.
Ke'Sha and Allikhain found a relatively secluded spot away from the camp, a flat area with fewer trees, and cleared it using spells. They gathered firewood and built a pile large enough for summoning an elemental. As night fell, Allikhain ignited the pyre with a 'Flaming Sphere'. When the fire was large enough, Ke'Sha began his own lengthy conjuration, calling through the flames to seek access to the Elemental Plane of Fire. A small rift opened in the heart of the campfire, and a blinding stream of white-hot flame shot into the night air. A massive creature of fire, towering over three times human height (16 feet), appeared! It reached out a hand to gently caress a nearby tree branch, which instantly ignited from the intense heat.
Ke'Sha attempted to assert control over the elemental, but the creature turned towards him menacingly. Ke'Sha ordered it to move to a safer location and then gave it its task: to enter the labyrinth and burn ten trolls or serpentine creatures, without harming any other creatures. The elemental, with coal-black eyes the size of an ogre's fist, leaned forward in front of Ke'Sha, then rose to its full height. It began to flow towards the camp and the entrance to the labyrinth.
This action caused great alarm in the camp. Jungle animals shrieked and fled, swarms of small creatures stampeded towards the camp in a panic. The elemental moved quickly through the vegetation, leaving a trail of smoldering leaves and shrubs. Lena, the paladin, reacted immediately, calling all adventurers and priests to fight the fire creature. Steven attempted to mentally contact Ke'Sha, warning him of the elemental and asking if he and Allikhain could stop it. Ke'Sha replied sarcastically that he controlled the elemental and rushed back to camp to "calm down" his "saintly" companions before they "burned themselves".
But Ke'Sha only realized his mistake upon reaching the camp. The camp itself stood before and around the entrance to the labyrinth. The elemental, despite the instruction not to harm anyone, had to pass through the camp to enter the cavern. It approached, accidentally touching a tent that immediately burst into flames. It changed course, moving through the camp, grass and shrubs burning with every step. It passed crates and advanced towards the horse lines, which shrieked in terror, some snapping their tethers and fleeing into the forest or into the camp itself, overturning barrels and people not quick enough to evade the mules.
Finally, the monumental elemental reached the labyrinth entrance. With a roar of rushing air, the creature swirled like a funnel of flame, flowing down into the dark depths of the labyrinth. The orange glow faded from the entrance. The camp was left in disarray, workers and adventurers extinguishing fires and collecting animals. Lena stood fuming, her eyes "golden fire", glaring at the halfling necromancer. Allikhain returned from the forest with "interest plainly on her face," noting with wonder that "I was curious how that was going to go...".
Chapter 6: The Bleeding Hands and the Mysterious Bubble
After the stormy night at camp and some rest, Jack and Landro decided to return to the labyrinth to re-scout the areas they had visited. Steven used his 'Sight Link' ability to see through Landro's eyes when he reached the giant hands room.
Upon their return to the labyrinth, Jack and Landro discovered several changes. The initial path was as it had been. The troll bodies were gone. The "dead end" hatch remained the same. But at the opening leading to the giant door (hatch C), they found the door was closed again, and the iron rods they had used to prop it up were gone. They continued exploring, finally reaching the room with the giant hands.
Steven, looking through Landro's eyes from the distance of the camp, saw the room: a square room 30 feet on a side, with a 10-foot diameter circular pit in the center. On either side of the pit, two giant hands protruded from the floor, covered in reddish metal scales, their palms facing each other. Landro approached the hands, which reached 8 feet tall, and Steven noticed that the palms were covered in scars, as if they had been cut repeatedly over time. The hands were large and solid, made of stone or metal that appeared to have reddish scales. Allikhain and Binky had previously noted an invisible cover over the pit, similar to a 'Wall of Force', and that the hands themselves were also magically altered in some way.
Jack, seemingly out of curiosity or experimentation, drew his blade and cut the palm of one of the giant hands. Despite the apparently rusty metallic appearance, his blade cut a "wound" in the structure, which began to bleed a thick red fluid. The "blood," visible to the eye, dripped down the palm and spread onto the invisible wall of force, forming a thin film. Binky, the 2-dimensional shadow, watched excitedly, calling for Jack to do the same to the other hand.
Jack moved to the second hand and cut it. A similar stream of "blood" began to drip from it onto the invisible wall. As the blood from both sources mixed, the thin film on the floor began to swell like a rising bubble, until it formed a giant sphere between the two enormous scaled hands. The bottom of the sphere appeared to extend beyond the 'Wall of Force' into the pit below.
Jack attempted to test the strange bubble by throwing small stones at it from a distance, and then by pressing on it with a torch. The bubble bent under the pressure, like a large soap bubble. Steven suggested considering whether only living tissue could penetrate the bubble's surface, and perhaps trying to put a small local animal inside.
This discovery revealed a new connection between the carved hands, the reddish fluid they exude, and the invisible barrier above the pit. It seems that activating the hands causes a reaction that affects the barrier, opening some kind of path (the bubble) into the pit's depths.
The sources at my disposal end at this point, with the group confronting the bubble and the bleeding hands in the room of the giant hands.

Chapter 7: The Necromancer's Army
Following the chaotic arrival and subsequent dispatch of the fire elemental back to its plane on the evening of the first day, Ke'Sha, the Athasian Halfling Priest of the Lord of the Undead, found himself without his initial contingent of animated servants. His zombie bear and ogre, Ho and Rror, were destroyed in the confrontation with the trolls and black puddings, and his skeletons fared no better. While the immediate threat was dealt with, the incident with the elemental had caused significant disruption in the camp, drawing unwanted attention.
With the group contemplating their next steps and the daunting challenges ahead in the Labyrinth of Madness, Ke'Sha's mind turned to the pressing need to bolster his own forces. He reflected on the power he wielded as a high priest of undeath, capable of commanding a significant number of creatures. He desired a more capable and varied force than simple zombies and skeletons. He envisioned minions with specific abilities – creatures that could drain life, move unseen, scout treacherous areas, or simply possess greater resilience than his previous cannon fodder. He knew he could potentially command a considerable number of undead or even extraplanar beings, though assembling a true "army" would be a long-term endeavor, not something achievable in days. His immediate focus, however, was on acquiring a small group of more potent servants, particularly the fearsome Ju-Ju zombies and perhaps a powerful summoned entity.

Preparation for the Harvest
Knowing his dark work might not be welcomed by the more "goodly" members of the party, Ke'Sha decided to perform the necessary rituals away from the main camp, ideally with only Allakhain, a fellow necromancer, as witness and potential assistant. He discussed the matter with Allakhain, outlining his need for fresh bodies to create Ju-Ju zombies and other potent undead.
Finding a suitable, secluded spot was necessary. Ke'Sha considered various methods to acquire the needed "ingredients" – three living humans. He contemplated using a summoned elemental, though Allakhain voiced concerns about its ability to actually retrieve a person and the risk of losing control. He also considered using his allies' abilities, perhaps even getting help from Allakhain. Ultimately, the plan coalesced around a clandestine operation to procure victims from a nearby native community.


First, following the battle in the Snake Head room, Ke'Sha took the opportunity to gather the remains of the defeated trolls. He collected sufficient "ingredients"—specifically, scraps of troll fingers—to perform the 'Animate Dead Monster' spell. This spell requires materials from the creature intended for animation. Ke'Sha planned to create three zombie trolls. After finding a secluded spot far enough from the camp for the night's rituals, he took the troll scraps from his pouch, dug a tiny hole for three of them, and "planted" them like small seeds. The Halfling necromancer then began an unholy incantation. The ground started to rumble and swell as if a large bag were being inflated beneath the surface. First one, then a second, then a third arm burst forth from the earth, scattering dirt and pebbles. Rotting troll forms exhumed themselves, towering over the necromancers and staring blankly ahead. Three zombie trolls were created, large, strong, and horrifying creatures, later named Tom, Bert, and William.


Immediately after, Ke'Sha moved to the next stage of his army-building project: summoning an abyssal creature. He drew forth a tiny brass ball-shaped cage on a fine chain, containing an oddly cut quartz crystal. He tapped the ball with a fingernail, causing it to ring, and began the incantation of summoning. A dark circle formed on the ground before him, like a shadow on the forest floor. The darkness deepened as he rang the bell repeatedly, chanting the words. On the third ring, the blackness "rippled" like waves in a pond. The fourth time, the peaks of those ripples of nothingness swelled and rose higher. The fifth and final chime and recitation of unholy summonings caused the waves of void to peak even higher, dropping and tendrils stretching upwards to form a figure of absolute shadow. The shape resolved into a winged figure, like a man-sized bat with features resembling something elven. Rotting patches of leathery hide clung over exposed bones and dangled from wings that draped its body like a cloak. It snarled, but addressed the filthy Halfling with a hiss: "Hmmm... what foolisssshhh creature sssummonsss me forth from the Abysssss... Pray to your puny godssss for sssuccor.... Thinksss thou one ssssuch asss you can ssstrike a sssatisfying bargain with the likessss of mysssself?".
Ke'Sha, his face alight with satisfaction at the sight of the dark creature he had summoned, replied, "Ahhh, I do pray to my god but it is not succor I seek. I pray to serve him well by raising and dominating undead so his might will spread even more.". He continued with a subtle warning: "This could be an opportunity for you or more material for my experiments," pausing momentarily before adding, "and even I lack somewhat at the practice of bargaining, as the undead usually just obey to my will, I'm willing to see that you are satisfied working together. I can offer you part of the treasure, souls of enemies we meet, or even command undead to do your bidding as far as it is empowering The Lord of the Undead name...".
The Varrangoin, summoned by the 'Summon Varrangoin' spell, stretched with pride at the mention of his dark master. "Treassssure... for ssssuch paltry thingssss I have neither usssse nor apetitessss..." it replied, hissing. "Sssoulllssss.. mmmmm... yesss... the ssspiritsss of the innoccccent... For thossse of tainted materialsss there isss little desssire... Hollow shellsss I have no ussse for...". Its wings of eternal darkness shifted and settled like the mantle and cape of some dark noble. The withered lips of taut hide stretched and pursed as it prepared to speak again. "One sssoul of an innocccent for each passsage of night in thisss realm... If thisss you acquiessst to, then we find ourssselvesss in an accord...". The creature extended one clawed hand for a shake in agreement.
Ke'Sha was satisfied with the offer. "Fair bargain and it suit us well," he said, extending his hand. As Dromacus (the Varrangoin) approached, Ke'Sha tightened his grip and whispered binding spells. Dark fog appeared from nowhere and swirled around the two, and whispers from the underworld were faintly heard. A moment later, a red flash appeared behind Ke'Sha's eyeballs, dimly lighting his skull, then his hand burned, and everything fell to dead quiet. "Our deal is sealed. Let's not delay your... prize. We are to fetch three humans and turn to our service. Their souls are yours, their flesh mine.". A wicked thought followed: a tough bargain, but a fun game. The Varrangoin's grasp was tight, clawed fingers scratching Ke'Sha's wrist and hand, smearing tiny drops of blood as the deal was sealed. Dromacus drooled in delight at the prospect of the soon-to-be doomed souls.

Journey to the Village
To reach a suitable location efficiently and without drawing attention, the group consisting of Ke'Sha, Allakhain, Dromacus the Varrangoin, Gur, Binky and the three trolls, opted for a journey along the border of the Ethereal Plane. Allakhain cast the necessary spell, and the familiar world seemed to turn smoky and grey around them. They became like shifting shadows, able to pass through solid objects such as dense jungle foliage, making travel faster and less arduous than hacking through the wilderness. Ke'Sha noted wryly that at least Allakhain's dress wouldn't get torn by thorns. For greater speed, Ke'Sha suggested riding the undead trolls, though Allakhain chose not to be carried as it wouldn't speed her up. Gur, and Binky in the material plane, provided guidance, ensuring they moved in the correct direction towards the area where a waterfall suggested a likely location for native inhabitants.
After some hours of travel in this ghostly state, the dull roar of a waterfall could be heard. Binky, scouting ahead, returned with good news: a small community of about twenty people, sleeping in huts, with only one guard awake by a fire.

The Acquisition
With the target located, Ke'Sha declared it would be easy. He focused his senses, casting a spell to sharpen perception. He performed a ritual involving a yellow gemstone, invoking dark powers to guide him, and his eyes fixed on the village in the distance. Although this spell wasn't truly a magical pointer, it helped him mentally pinpoint the best approach, likely near the water source.
The group then moved towards the village on the Border Ethereal. They passed through the palisade and into the huts like smoke, unseen and unheard, carefully avoiding disturbing the sleeping inhabitants. They located their desired targets, positioning themselves near the edge of the jungle for a quick exit.
Ke'Sha began the operation by casting a spell to incapacitate the lone guard. From within the Border Ethereal, his magic reached across, and the guard froze abruptly, unable to move or cry out. Next, they entered the targeted hut, which contained two women, one older and one younger. Ke'Sha paused for a fleeting moment, contemplating the lives of these unsuspecting victims before steeling himself for the task. Holding his dark symbol, he cast another spell, and the two women lay still in their sleep, unable even to open their eyes. As the group solidified, stepping from the Ethereal border, Dromacus, the Varrangoin, drew upon his own dark power, unleashing a wave of silence that muted all sound around them. The guard's eyes widened in silent terror at the sudden appearance of the monstrous trolls and the abyssal demon.
Moving quickly, Ke'Sha, Allakhain, and Dromacus worked with the trolls to tie up the incapacitated women. Dromacus then cast a spell, rendering the group invisible. They gathered the women's bound bodies, loaded them onto the trolls, and swiftly moved towards the guard, who was also taken. Before leaving the village, Ke'Sha paused to write a message in Common on the ground near where the victims slept, leaving behind trinkets and a gold coin. The message claimed the villagers had been chosen by the gods for a higher purpose and that the gods were pleased. The group then left, silent and invisible, without leaving a trail thanks to their ethereal approach and subsequent magical concealment.
After gaining some distance, they firmly secured the captives, stuffing their mouths and covering their eyes to prevent any noise or movement once the magical paralysis wore off.

A Dracolich's Flight
Now with the necessary "ingredients" secured, Ke'Sha needed a fast and discreet way to return to a safe ritual site, far enough from the camp to maintain secrecy. Standard travel would take too long and leave a trail. Various magical transport options were considered, including Allakhain's spells, but the key challenge was transporting the entire group, including the heavy troll zombies and the captives. Ke'Sha decided upon a more dramatic solution: transforming himself into a powerful creature of undeath.
He chose the form of a Juvenile Amber Dracolich. This monstrous undead dragon was within the limits of a spell he had prepared, Assume Undead Form, and a roll of the dice confirmed his familiarity with this specific, rare undead type. Preparing for the transformation, Ke'Sha held his holy symbol, crushed bone from a former servant, and drew blood. He vowed service to his dark god as he inhaled the powder and swallowed the blood.
The transformation was swift and horrific to behold. Ke'Sha's body was wracked with spasms; limbs grew, his chest erupted, a tail emerged, and his face contorted into a skeletal dragon's visage. In moments, the full, terrifying form of a Juvenile Amber Dracolich stood before them. He stretched his body, tested his voice in a raspy roar, and felt an overwhelming sense of power.
Ke'Sha directed Allakhain to teleport back to a predetermined clearing near the camp with two of the troll zombies, William and Bert, to begin preparations for the rituals. Dromacus, Gur, and Binky would accompany him. One troll zombie, Tom, climbed onto Ke'Sha's back with the three bound captives, holding them securely. Ke'Sha, in his new dracolich form, ensured Tom was steady, cast a spell to enhance Tom's movement, then spread his massive, tattered wings. With a powerful beat, he rose into the night sky, a fearsome aerial caravan of undeath. He flew low, keeping near the treeline to avoid detection. As they neared the camp's general area, he cast a spell to become invisible, ensuring no curious guards spotted his monstrous form. He spotted the clearing and landed gracefully, enjoying the sheer power and ease of this form.

The Unholy Rites
Gathered in the clearing, Ke'Sha, Allakhain, Dromacus, Gur, Binky, the three troll zombies, and the three captives, Ke'Sha resumed his own form. He then immediately transformed again, this time into a Spectre, preparing for the draining ritual. The transformation brought a wave of cold, his form flickering and fading, seeing the world in shades and feeling an intense hunger for life force.
Ke'Sha knelt between the guard (Juher) and the younger woman (Tagna). He moved his hands close to their bodies, and felt their life force pull towards him. Visions of their mundane, joyful lives flooded his mind as he drained their essence, feeling envy and greed. He felt their life force flow through him, only to vanish. It was swiftly done; their bodies became dark and inert. With their souls now belonging to Dromacus as agreed, Ke'Sha began the process of animating them as Ju-Ju zombies.
He performed a unique, complex ceremony, circling the bodies, chanting oaths, and seemingly wrestling with their shadows that hovered above. Each time he grasped the shadows, the bodies twitched. Using the names he learned during the draining, he bound the anti-life force to their flesh. He commanded, "Juher! Rise and serve the lord of the undead! Your lord and mine!". Then, "Tagna! Rise and serve the lord of the undead! Your lord and mine!". The bodies spasmed and gained mobility, rising as animated, agile Ju-Ju zombies. Satisfied, Ke'Sha directed them to guard near the troll zombies.

Next, he turned his attention to the older woman, still bound. This ritual was different, one to create a Wight. He prepared dark ingredients – Asphodel, Belladona, bone powder – mixing them. He commanded William, the troll zombie, to scratch the woman's arms and forehead. She groaned in pain as Ke'Sha rubbed the foul mixture into the wounds. He then bound her limbs to the ground with ropes and nails, sat on her chest, and began rambling incantations. Dromacus took his place nearby, ready to claim her soul. Ke'Sha recited a chilling verse, promising her strength, longevity, coldness, and ruthlessness in undeath. With the final word, he stabbed her heart, continuing his unspeakable chants. Blood sprayed, some on his face, and he bit his own arm to bleed into her mouth, binding her will. A pool of blood formed above her, condensed into a solid-looking ball, which Ke'Sha snapped and thrust into her chest wound. The wound closed magically. Her eyes snapped open, pupils unnaturally white. Ke'Sha named her Artven and commanded her to rise in service to the Lord of the Undead.
Pleased with his work, Ke'Sha took a moment to clean himself. He remarked to Allakhain that these were rare and dangerous incantations and offered to help her if she was committed to their cause. He noted they were only just beginning and had more work to do that night. After a brief meditation to thank his god, Ke'Sha announced his next project: summoning a strong beast to kill and turn into a zombie monster for use in the labyrinth. He began a ritual, spreading food samples and invoking powers of nature, focusing on summoning a powerful animal suitable for the dungeon.
The night's work had secured three new, powerful, and potentially intelligent undead servants – two Ju-Ju zombies and a Wight – adding significant capability to Ke'Sha's growing collection. His ambition to field a formidable force of undeath in service to his dark deity was well underway.


The journey continues, full of new mysteries and unexpected dangers, into the depths of the "Labyrinth of Madness".

So I added the my own thread to the sources and managed to produce another chapter. But contradictive to the first 6 chapters that I managed to get within about 1 hour of using NotebookLM and Gemini, the last chapter took more than 3 hours that the tool kept creating weird stuff, switching between versions that each has it's own problems and continuously repeating the same mistake. It was awful and I had to do a lot of changing on my own.

[Lord Torath]

Yeah, LLM AI is not really great at this sort of thing. It is good at making text that seems convincing, but accuracy is not its target, and never will be. They are essentially bullcrappers (scientific paper: ChatGPT is Bull**** - turns out "bull****" is a scientific term), and while they don't deliberately lie, they don't deliberately tell the truth, either.