Session 9-C: One for the Road

Key Plot Developments
Glyn, Pyrite, Suortin, and Miss Anna survey the damage done to her grove by the undead invaders. While some of the guests, including multiple deep gnomes, were killed, two drow survived. One of them, still intoxicated, thanks Glyn for his service and offers him a token: a badge with the symbol of a plumed hat. He suggests that Glyn might find safety with a nondescript group of male drow nonconformists. He expresses his discontent with Menzoberranzan's matriarchy and suggests that a more egalitarian system would be preferable.

Glyn and Pyrite, after being given healing blesses from Miss Anna, descend into the depths of the tomb as the elf makes preparations to attend to the dead.

The goblins move a massive slab of granite to reveal a staircase. They descend into the darkness. The walls of the chambers depict a drow woman reminiscent of Mistress Ilvara; she's depicted fighting with the forces of fire, sacrificing victims to the Goddess of Spiders, and wielding arcane power. Pyrite surmises that they might find treasure or powerful artifacts here. Glyn is primarily concerned with keeping Miss Anna's grove safe from further undead attacks.

The pair slays a series of zombies and a zombie ogre before being pushed to the brink of defeat by wights. Suortin, the helpful Umber Hulk, joins them and brings his considerable might to bear. They slay the undead and plunder the tomb, triggering poisoned traps and provoking the rage of a vengeful mummy, which rises from the central sarcophagus. The mummified drow attempts to turn the goblins to dust, but they rally and destroy her.

Glyn takes a ring of fire resistance from her corpse, while Pyrite discovers an abandoned spellbook. She's delighted to find it, since her own spellbook was used against her as bait by Mistress Ilvara and subsequently destroyed.

The goblins emerge from the tomb in time to listen to Miss Anna perform the last rites over the recently slain. She consecrates their remains in the name of her Dark Prince. Glyn is sympathetic to this powerful entity and offers to stay behind to help Miss Anna. Pyrite, while less suspicious of Miss Anna, refocuses Glyn on finding Trix. She asks if Miss Anna can do anything to help.

Miss Anna suggests that a special blend of her Gresyl wine, which could induce visions and help give them the answers they seek. She warns them that the concoction--brewed from fermented grapes, a touch of what Miss Anna calls "The Dark Prince's Blessing," and a hint of "chaos"--might create adverse effects if consumed in overly generous amounts. Pyrite chooses to drink, enticed by the power of knowledge. Glyn chooses to drink, hoping to impress Annarei. Anna notes that she was taught how to concoct the blend by a friend of hers (who, she says, currently resides in Gracklstugh, the city of deep dwarves).

As the group knocks back drink after drink, they are greeted by several visions, including:
 * Mistress Ilvara addresses a group of drow matron mothers, promising that the DeVir clan's punishment will be carried out in the Spider Queen's name. She also describes plans to break "the youngest."
 * An old goblin speaks with a small spider, expressing relief that they've found a sanctuary.
 * A gargantuan, red, scaled creature roars that it will not be buried in a prison of its parents' making.

Pyrite pushes further, drinking more and more, until she sees a vision of Trix and becomes convinced that she knows his current location. She thanks Anna for the help and urges Glyn to leave with her immediately. Unbeknowst to Glyn, she's gained a second level of madness: "Anyone who doesn't do exactly what I say doesn't deserve to live."

Memorable Quotations
???: You will not bury me in a prison of my parents' making!

Ilvara: Matron Mother, I swear to you in the name of Lolth, the DeVir clan will be beaten, broken, and burned to the ground. Any who claim their name shall choke to death on their blood. We have just begun to work on the youngest brother...

Miss Anna: When battered bodies budge no more / We trust you at the helm/ Of the world of guts and gore / In your Triple Realm.

So steal the spirits of the slain / No more need to convince / For they are taught, and they have gained / A love for you, My Prince.