Jovia looked at the Scryer's device on the nightstand within her private quarters. Jovia, with spells few warlocks even knew existed, had imprisoned an imp, magically infusing it's essence such that the imp was the device and the reverse. The device itself appeared inert and gave no hint of what was bonded with it, but Jovia could sense the imp as the fiendish thing forever worked at it's bonds, and Jovia trusted it not one bit.
Jovia had captured and ensnared other imps - within those leatherskin scraps carried by the group.
The imps were also bound by other magics forcing them to report on the activities of the group. Single imps reported only spotty information, but when grouped the combined intelligence resulted in a more or less accurate rendering of the activity of the group. It was not perfect, as the imps delighted in making their own observations and offering opinions, embellishing the report for their own amusement and to irritate their captor. Mostly to irritate their captor, Jovia thought sourly. Jovia summarized the content in making her report to the Master's, but she found herself growing very interested in the details. Jovia powered the device to hear of the GF's latest foray. And befoer the group even started the imps were already up to mischief.
The imps giggled amonsgt themselves, almost cackling. An interesting toy had found its way into their confinement, and the imps had made the paladin it's target. The paladin was not going to make his renedezvous with the group. The imps put obstacle after obstacle in his way, effectively sealing him into Silvermoon City, far from the Inn at the Crossroads where the others waited.
"Go without me," they chorused together, mimicking the pally's voice. A frustrated Arq finally had to admit that his magics were not yet up to defeating whatever it was that had derailed his arrival. Jovia had no knowledge of how the "toy" had gotten to the imps or who had provided it. Worse, it meant that something knew the magics of the scrying device. This would have to be reported.
The imps looked on as the other four packed up their gear and left the Inn for the trek across the Barrens to Wailing Caverns. "We'll Summon you once we get there, Arq," the warlock Kon promised. The imps smirked. No Summon would work for them today.
Determined to plumb at least some of the secrets of WC, the remaining four decided to make the attempt anyway. They cleared the way through the trash mobs outside the entrance to the Cavern. The imps jumped up and down with glee when both the priest and lock fell through a hole near the entrance. But the two quickly found their way and the group entered.
At the entrance a Disciple of Naralax welcomed the adventurers. WC is a diseased, festering place, but that is not what the druid disciples had wanted, and still tried to correct. The druid blessed each adventurer with Mark of the Wild, to help them with their tasks. He also warned them that the path was dangerous, as many of the corrupted druids following the Fang sect were out and about, including the four Leaders of the Fang.
The group moved on, and began to encounter the corrupted denizens of this deep, watery warren of passages. Raptors, oozes, wind serpents, and many other beasts thrive here. The imps grumbled, bored at how well the group handled the many challenges.
Ahh, thought the imps, all leaning forward as one. Now they face a camp with corrupted druids and serpents. This should be fun. The group carefully marked the targets and attacked. The hostile druid immediately put the warlock to Sleep. Philly struggled to find a counter-spell in her growing arsenal of spells. Here it is, she exclaimed! Philly quickly cast Dispell Magic on the lock and broke the Sleep spell. The druid and his protectors fell to the group.
For awhile the imps simply watched and reported. The group was making decent progress through the cavern, although they missed the presence of their paladin, Arq. Huldu had at leat two mobs in his face on every fight, and the weaving, striking Serpents of the Fang were all over the place. The elite turtle Kresh was discovered making his slow way down a long, shallow stream. Kresh's shell makes a great shield, and the group killed him, awarding [Kresh's Back] to the warrior. The mage Braeco also retrieved a powerful blue robe from one of the felled druids [Robe of the Moccasin].
The group was not just meandering about; they had purpose and direction, and eventually reached their first goal - one of the druid Leaders of the Fang, Lord Pythas. The imps waited and made bets between them on how long it would take Pythas to teach this GF the meaning of failure.
Pythas had two, maybe three, elites around him. In the heat of battle the details grow fuzzy. The group could go one of two ways. Kill Pythas first, or last. More bets were made and paid as the group chose to kill Pythas first.
The warrior engaged. Pythas began swinging a pair of huge axes, and the tank started bleeding. The druid elites were picked up and controlled, but the shambler came with Pythas and joined in against the tank. Philly went quickly from HoTs to longer cast heals and shortly was spamming her best heal spell one after the next, to keep the tank alive. For a moment it looked like the plan would work. None of the imps could believe it.
But a mob got loose, or a patrol happened by, or - things suddenly went bad. Everyone in the group began to take damage, and in the middle of trying to keep the heals coming, the priest found herself Slept. Can Dispell Magic be self-cast when Slept? Philly tried, and answer was no. The group fought on, the healer getting back into the fight as well, but one by one the group fell.
Defeated. The group retreated to the graveyard to nurse their wounds and make further plans.
The imps did not feel as smug as they wanted to, for the fight was close. Too close. Even though many of the passageways were now refilling with mobs, and would have to be fought through again, the group was still planning another attempt on Pythas. They were already reassembling near the Disciple. The imps began to work the magic given them, afraid what a second attempt might bring.
The group was ready, and headed back into the cavern, taking the time to kill a nearby serpent that had wandered too close. But they did not get very far when they noticed one of the group was not following. Huldu remained back near the Disciple. Huldu?
His body remained, but the mind and soul within was clouded. The warlock, still learning the ways of porting, could feel the powers of something like that spell swirling around the warrior. It appeared that the same foul power that had waylaid Arq had now also entrapped Huldu as well.
With only three, they could not continue. Ways to combat that power had to be found, but the GF would be back.
When the report was finished, Jovia sat back thoughtfully. Were her Masters behind this? Or was there yet another player in this game?
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