"The Dark Well" (RTx09) is the ninth episode of The Re-Slayer's Take. Our heroes face their most treacherous fight yet as the time comes to excavate the ghost’s lair within the sea caves… but the aboleth isn't the only thing they'll find down there.
Synopsis[]
Timpani heals Duderonomous to restore his skin to its normal condition, and in the meantime the mage tells them that his pig companion, Thyme, has disappeared (which causes Heera to sympathize with him, remembering her own animal companion, Saffron), and that the aboleth had been looking for its old bones, which he had hidden inside his Bag of Holding. During the conversation he also reveals that he was the wizard Timpani called to create the new set of teeth for Poogs. After Frog asks about the bones Duderonomous explains that the aboleth needs them to influence its environment more directly, causing Farah to theorize that in that case it would become more powerful, but also easier to hit, so they agree to use the bones as bait when they go to the well, which is connected to the sea cave; Duderonomous will stay in the lighthouse to rest and use its light against the monster, but gives some potions to the adventurers so they can recover some health.
When they go inside the well, the Re-Slayers' weapons activate, and they find a green rippling portal, and a pool in which Thyme the pig is floating. Heera rescues the animal, and they start hearing the aboleth's whispers. They take positions, and Farah addresses the ghost, allowing it to appear and take its skull, after which the blood hunter strikes it with her shortsword. The monsters asks for its other bones, and Frog, who's carrying the bag of holding, moves outside the well as Idrin starts signaling Duderonomous with Dancing Lights. The ghost moves and knocks Farah unconscious, although it fails to notice Heera, who attacks it too. As Timpani goes inside to help Farah, the aboleth leaves the well, being attacked by Idrin. Frog and Duderonomous try to distract it with bones and illusions, but the ghost goes after the young wizard, knocking him unconscious. Frog attacks the enemy hitting very hard and producing light, determining, in the process, that it doesn't have a weak point, and it is resistant to several things. Poogs signals Duderonomous, who turns the lighthouse on, causing the aboleth's ghostly form to steam; although the monster knocks Frog unconscious too, Heera arrives in time, and, encouraged by Thyme, she attacks with her rapier, destroying the ghost, and causing their weapons to pulsate recognizing the victory.
After a brief celebration with some healing, Duderonomous and Thyme return home, while the Re-Slayers go to the portal to close it. Timpani does it himself, but just before he finishes it, a voice complains about his meddling, and a spectral black finger attacks the firbolg, leaving him confused and talking nonsense. The adventurers are worried about the druid, and after Idrin determines it must be some sort of magical disease, Poogs proposes to take Timpani to the lighthouse; however, on their way there Timpani leaves the group and runs towards a tree, casting Transport via Plants, and going through the portal, being followed just in time by his friends. They all appear in a valley, and Poogs realizes they're in the Utesspire Mountains, near his former home, expressing sadness when admitting their best chance is to take Timpani there.
Epilogue[]
Only a day later, the warriors of the Spectral Hand arrive to Shoresight Isle asking for the Re-Slayers, finding a group led by Heldwell of the Slayer's Take, as well as Duderonomous. The latter doesn't trust the others, who are asking about his friends, and when Heldwell shows hostility, the wizard causes the weather to become stormy, threatening the outsiders. The member of the Slayer's Take, after telling the other warriors that he is willing to work with them, gives Duderonomous a gold piece to fix his clothes and agrees to leave without a fight. As the elven mage is left alone, Thyme comments on her distaste for those visitors.
Featured characters[]
"Re-Slayers"[]
Returning[]
- Duderonomous
- Heldwell, a member of the Slayer's Take
- The actual warriors sent by the Spectral Hand
New[]
- Thyme, an awakened pig and companion of Duderonomous
- Putridius Festerkin (voice only)
Mentioned[]
- Saffron, Heera's calf companion
Quotations[]
Trivia[]
References[]
Art:
- ↑ Re-Slayer's Take promotional art, by Elaine Tipping (source). Used with permission.
| |||||||||||