Session Thirty-Four: Making Fiends

Key Plot Developments
The goblins, Lemon, and Misu consider how to make their next move: reaching Gravenhollow, the library beyond space and time. As Grazilaxx explained, one can't simply find the establishment: rather, the library finds its visitors.

Glyn learns about Jimjar's detainment and torture. He feels filled with righteous fury and adopts a full oath of vengeance against those who harm his family and friends. Tremble speaks with him and exchanges his well-made shield (with the clan's symbol) for Glyn's battered, acid-weathered one. Now, he says, a piece of them will always protect each other.

Pix considers what the various extraplanar entities--Garl, Dulcinea, the Dark Prince--are doing with their family. She speaks to Trix and gives him emotionally support. He tries to wipe off the goop he would have expected from a Shuushar hug; there isn't anything there. He admits his concern regarding Ichabod's pending lawsuit.

Misu and Tremble navigate for days. They discover a creature named Veldyskar. This monster averts its eyes to avoid accidentally paralyzing the heroes. He's a basilisk--a librarian and a security officer of Gravenhollow--and he was told by Stonespeaker Hgraam (the deceased stone giant) to expect Glyn. He warns the group to be quiet in the library or face petrification. Glyn uses his stonespeaker crystal; it glows, revealing the entrance to the library.

Veldyskar describes the library's levels; the first contains records of the Underdark's past, the second of its present, and the third of possibilities--things that might yet happen.

The group is introduced to Hourm, a friendly galeb duhr, on its first level. Hourm offers to show the group around, helping them as necessary. The team splits up and begins combing through the labyrinthine library for answers.


 * Bogtooth learns of Pyrite's death--and of Misu and Trix's use of her bones on a bridge. He also learns that Rotgut is still alive and in the Underdark. He also studies goblin history, realizing much of it (in the Underdark, at least) is full of gore, violence, and loss. He realizes the Cragmaw Clan wasn't their group's initial name; rather, they were the Horroc clan. He intuits goblins find it difficult to build on generational knowledge, since, as often as once per generation, they're taken over by other goblins, goblinoids, or conquerors.
 * Tremble encounters a human--a magic user, perhaps--who seems to know of the goblins. The figure disappears when Tremble looks away. He then researches the drow of Bregan D'aerthe, a group of rebellious male drow with connections across the Underdark, and understands why Jimjar was willing to give his life for the cause.
 * Trix and Pix see the shades of three figures--who they take to be Garl, Dulcinea, and a third--speak about finding a tome with a prophecy. They find the same document--the Book of Goblinkind--and read a strange poem about goblins in the Underdark. They research Garl Glittergold, who, they find out, doesn't take most feuds very seriously; based on folklore, he welcomes the evil gnomish gods into his home.
 * Glyn, alone, sees the Dark Prince--Graz'zt, Demon Lord of Excess--on the third floor. While Graz'zt has some similarities with Nicholas Ice Cream's imitation of him, he's far more laid back, promiscuous, and charismatic. Glyn confuses him for the Dark Prince from his visions, which Graz'zt initially plays along with until he realizes Glyn was deceived by Nicholas. He's had time to speak with Anna, who was banished back to the Abyss, and has heard of Glyn (she still likes him). They bond over how much they hate Demogorgon and Nicholas. He says he knows of a ritual Glyn can do to handle all of the other demon lords. Then, he breaks off a piece of his horn, sticks it in a book, and says it'll be useful for the ritual. He offers to help Trix out with his legal issues; as a former devil, he understands Baator's law (but he'll only do it if Glyn agrees to be a general/orgy master in his Triple Realm upon death, and/or if he's set up on a blind date with a mind flayer). He leaves Glyn, who is impressed and receptive.
 * Misu tries to discover the origin of the faerzress and demon lords in the Underdark.

Tremble notices a wizened drow approach him. He seems frail and looks just like Sarith De'Vir. The drow acknowledges Tremble and introduces himself as Vizeran De'Vir--Sarith's brother. He opposes Lolth and her priestesses and wants to banish the demon lords. He has a frightening bodyguard (a death slaad named Kleve) and an anxious assistant (a darkling named Finn Dubh Cata). He asks about Sarith, who he denigrates; he is upset that Sarith presented himself with a dishonest last name.

Glyn is approached by Vizeran next. Vizeran, on Tremble's advice, has questions about Glyn's stonespeaker crystal. He shares his beliefs; unlike most drow, he follows Hadar, the Dark Hunger. He wishes to use the stonespeaker crystal to receive insight into the demonic uprising; since it, like the library, was created by stone giants, it can reveal visions of the Underdark (past, present, or possible futures) if used properly. Glyn agrees to use it properly.

Finn, Vizeran's assistant, darts across the library, gathering the heroes. The heroes immediately start arguing about what to do; Vizeran, claiming scholarship in group therapy, facilitates a whispered conversation.

Glyn, finally, uses the crystal, sharing his visions with everyone but Misu:. He sees:


 * A drow wizard lose control of a summoning spell and demons emerging in the abyss.
 * A large mushroom surrounded by myconids, who begin preparing for a 'wedding.'
 * A fungal growth as large as a continent; a single voice cries "Please, let me out!"
 * An impossibly large fungal arm crushing Menzoberranzan as Sarith looks on in glee.
 * A deep gnome weeping as he adopts patches of ooze and treats them like children; a great hunger speaks to him and offers him power.
 * A large creature, writhing and rotting, closing in on the continent-sized mushroom.
 * A kuo-toa in the Darklake. It finds something in the deep: two howling baboon heads.
 * Another kuo-toa: Shuushar. The Demogorgon advances on him, preparing to swallow him whole.
 * A gem is picked up by a dwarf, given to a gnome, given to an apprentice, snatched by a gargoyle, taken by a female drow, and picked up by Mayor Pierce.
 * A whole town of various races writhe on the floor, moving in time to The Candyman Can. They sing and sing as their lips crack and blood runs from their faces. Mayor Pierce, too, sings, but--in-between verses--she mouths, " Why'd you do this?'
 * He sees something at the base of a wide chasm. Bones begin to clatter and piece themselves together. Bodies reanimate--thousands of them--as a hulking figure with a want and the Deepking's hammer commands them.
 * A hyena-headed figure tears a minotaur apart; as it rips the thing's heart out, it howls with pride.
 * Giant hooves crush stones underfoot as a figure with a crown of horns and bloody glaive moves through a mze, towards a great weapon--one that can reshape the Underdark.
 * A palace of fire, populated by scantily-clad figures eating grapes. Graz'zt notices Glyn's scrying and acknowledges it.
 * The Demon Queen of Spiders, Lolth, atop thousands of eggs. She notices Glyn's scrying and attempts to inflict madness, but Glyn resists it.

Misu, mad she's been left out of the vision, sneakily steals the crystal from Glyn. Tremble notices it. Veldyskar, bothered by Finn's excessive movement, deposits his petrified body in front of Vizeran. Lemon further distracts the party from Misu's theft by mentioning facts he's learned about blood.

Trix and Glyn argue about the moral dilemma of trusting Misu with this quest to potentially save the Underdark from demons as Tremble confronts Misu about stealing the crystal. Misu realizes she can't use it--it's attuned to Glyn. Living up to her fiendish heritage, she manipulates Tremble into forgiving her, lies to Glyn, and returns the crystal as if it was her idea to recharge it for him. Glyn, deceived, thanks Misu for her helpfulness.

New NPCs

 * 1) Veldyskar, basilisk librarian
 * 2) Hourm, galeb duhr librarian
 * 3) Vizeran De'Vir, drow archmage
 * 4) Kleve, death slaad guardian
 * 5) Finn Dubh Cata, darkling assistant
 * 6) The Dark Prince (Graz'zt), Demon Lord of Excess
 * 7) The Blood Lord (Orcus), Demon Lord of Undeath
 * 8) The Horned King (Baphomet), Demon Lord of Savagery
 * 9) The Beast of Butchery (Yeenoghu), Demon Lord of the Hunt
 * 10) The Faceless Lord (Juiblex), Demon Lord of Hunger
 * 11) Lolth, Demon Queen of Spiders

Memorable Quotations
Lemon: I wonder how much I will learn about the ways of blood….

Glyn: Oh, you mean it’s one of those things where he send a sending saying he’s safe when he’s not really safe? One of THOSE things?

Misu: I CHOSE to be gagged so that it would make Glyn feel better!

Tremble: We were apart for so long. And, well, now if we get separated again a little bit of me will always be protecting you and a little bit of you will always be protecting me! I should probably get back to following my heart.


 * Lemon: Oh! The leader!
 * Bogtooth: Maybe anyone can be a leader?
 * Lemon: Even Extra-Dimensional Spacey? Even Bezekira? Even my best friend, Glyn?
 * Bogtooth: Uh…Maybe?

Lemon: I shall no longer be known as Glyn-Crazy-Glyn-Eyes-Glyn-Nort-Almond-Glyn-Lemon-Glyn-Bogtooth-Duergar. From this day henceforth, I shall be Glyn-Crazy-Glyn-Eyes-Glyn-Nort-Almond-Glyn-Lemon-Glyn-Bogtooth-Duergar-Glyn.


 * Trix: Remember that time when I sold my soul?
 * Pix: To the bird guy?
 * Trix: Yeah…that made me feel sad.

Pix: We’re goblins. If anybody can get past bureaucratic red tape, it's us, 'cause we’re so small! Aaaye!


 * Trix: I love you…
 * Pix: I love you too! Can you teach me how to fish?
 * Trix: Uh, sure!
 * Pix: Sick!

Lemon: Wow, I feel like I was born to eat mushrooms.

Veldyskar: I will warn you not to jest, not to scream, and not to roar within the halls of the library.


 * Bogtooth: Bogtooth? More like book-tooth!
 * Veldyskar: I have seen echos of that joke about being book-tooth, Bogtooth. And I have seen you petrified because you did not shut up.

An Echo of a Human: I say, you there! Are you one of them? Darling, I found one of them here!

Lemon: I’m going to find out everything I can about blood, including its scientific name and medicinal uses. Whoa, did you know there’s been a whole war over blood?


 * Graz’zt:  Have…we met?
 * Glyn: What? You don’t remember me?
 * Graz’zt:  I have a LOT of fans.

Graz’zt: You conquered Gracklstugh? For ME?


 * Graz’zt: Oh, my f*cking god! Demogorgan can eat my *ss!
 * Glyn: Yeah! F*ck that guy!

Graz’zt: Pyrite, huh? Is she hot? OOOH, GLYYYYN! I see why Annarei likes GLYYYYN!

Graz’zt: Glyn, I’m talking about a sheep's entrails. They’re in your mouth, they’re in your *ss, they’re everywhere.


 * Glyn: Miss Anna told me that paperwork is bullshit.
 * Graz’zt: Paperwork IS bullshit!

Graz’zt: Misu, huh? Is she hot?


 * Graz’zt: How 'bout this? You kill ALL the other demon lords and then we'll hook up.
 * Glyn: Uh..okay..
 * Graz’zt: I need more than just an okay, Glyn, I need an enthusiastic YES!

Graz’zt: Glyn, the worst part of Baator is the paperwork, but the best part is they go f*cking WILD at the Mock Trial team parties!


 * Graz’zt: I want at least one of two things. I need you to listen close.  Either you come down with me when you die and you’re, like, one of my f*cking awesome generals and orgy masters OR I wanna f*ck a mind flayer.
 * Glyn: Well, uh, I do know a mind flayer, his name is Grazilaxx...
 * Graz’zt: I can hear the couple name already forming itself!

Graz’zt: Nicholas Ice Cream is the biggest idiot piece of sh*t loser that I’ve ever f*cking seen. He is the dumbest, ugliest motherf*cker I’ve ever known, that’s why I trapped him in a f*cking crystal! Why are we still talking about him?!

Graz’zt: Glyn, demon lords do not have genitalia except by choice. I am going to force Nicholas Ice Cream to grow genitals just so I can boil them off.

Vizeran: You’ve interacted with my brother. Sarith. He is a fool.

Finn: Right, this is awkward and stressful. Bye!

Vizeran: I have several strategies at hand, and chief among them is group therapy.

Demogorgon: Hey, friends, come on in! There's room for everyone in here. The water’s fine, guys!


 * Succubus: My Dark Prince, you have a call..
 * Graz’zt: Not now! I’m busy, do it later...when the vibes are better.

Misu: You put me in a ZONE OF TRUTH to prove that I wasn’t lying, but you needed the word of a DEMON LORD to know that it was true. Okay, yeah, got it…

Lemon: Hemoglobin.

Trix: Glyn, if someone is gonna try to destroy the world, I’m gonna stop them.

Glyn: Listen, Misu. I’m not gonna say I trust you or anything. But after talking with Trix, I think we need to look at the bigger picture. And for the moment we can work together….for the good of everyone.