Annotations

In the wake of the revelation that Mirata was loose in Cadrienne’s body, the Defenders realized the need for speed, but were at a loss as to how to proceed.

Mirata had read Arcade’s spellbooks, but those spells were paltry compared to those she had within her own spellbooks, hidden in her chambers. Her assets were the Mirror Room, a knowledge of the ancient Academy, and a hostage. In order to ensure her security she needed time to sleep, and time to study her high-level spells.

She had taken several books plundered from the Academy by the Defenders, including the Horrus Arkadanian. This holy and mystical tome was encased in a magically-locked, fireproof case, and the Defenders had not even had time to open it.

Holding the pack full of books, a few healing potions, and several scrolls, the archmage stepped into the Mirror Room. She had decided that Cadrienne’s body was not entirely suitable for her needs, and she needed an alternate. She directed the Mirror to the Academy’s back entrance. There she located the body of the comatose, blond female mountaineer, left in the cavern when the Defenders departed. She grabbed the woman, hauled her into the Room, gave her some water, and placed the Soul Trapping gem upon the helpless body. She then cast off the dimensional ties that bound the Mirror to the mighty brass door.

After delivering the message at the temple of Morphat, and spying briefly on the activities of the Defenders, she focused the Mirror on the fireproof back room of her own chambers. She instructed the Mirror to obey her alone, placed the deadly fanged tapestry over the entrance, cast a warning Magic Mouth, and moved her books and magic items into the Prismatic Sphere. She placed several cursed items that she possessed on her own body in anticipation of a hasty departure. Then she lay down to sleep upon her floating, four-poster bed, confident that the Sphere and its guardian would keep her safe.

Kestellan, a former acolyte at the Academy, had recognized Mirata and fled the previous night without informing the Defenders. He understood that she might choose to punish him for fleeing many years ago during the attack of the dragon, and had decided to hide until he could apologize without getting incinerated. He lurked within the Academy’s corridors.

In the meantime, the Defenders realized that they had two initial priorities: inform the authorities, and get help. Arcade and his Staff teleported to Kindric, planning to inform the High Mage of Gaunt of Mirata’s plans. Nolin and Velendo went to Cadrienne’s temple to speak with her High Priest.

Alix chose this moment to cut his deal with Kadraskus, while the party was otherwise occupied. At least two things he requested: a long-acting spell protecting him from magical possession, and a new Rod of Cancellation. Both were provided, although Alix was informed, after receiving the Rod, that it had been taken from a lich’s hoard, and that the lich might well come looking for it later. None of these activities were revealed to the rest of the Defenders.

On his return however, he was summoned immediately by the Guildmaster of the Thieves’ Guild. Alix had upset things in a serious way, although the details are not known. As punishment, Alix was assigned the care of one of the Guild’s least apt pupils, and the son of a minor lord to boot. Dylrath Birdhouse, the Guildmaster instructed, was to remain hale and healthy, or far more severe punishments would befall Alix Loial.

Arcade returned with a few scrolls and the best wishes of the Court. The High Mage was understandably upset, but appreciated the warning. There was little more that he could do for the Defenders, as there was no time to prepare properly. The temple sent healing potions, and the promise that they would heal, Resurrect, or otherwise assist Cadrienne if the group managed to retrieve her.

The Defenders were sure that Mirata would choose to rest in the Prismatic Sphere. It was the logical hiding place. Unfortunately they did not (knowingly) possess the means to bring it down, and knew only that to even look upon the Sphere brought blindness. With the desperate hope that a way in could be found, they decided on the direct approach.

Arcade and the Staff transported them to the bottom of the huge volcanic chasm, near the shaft leading to Mirata’s chambers. They bound their eyes to avoid looking at the sphere. Alix scouted ahead by deploying his grappling crossbow and swinging past the Sphere into the chamber. He secured the angled rope, and the rest of the party Spider Climbed, flew, and slid down without incident.

The advance was a bit more rushed than the party would have preferred. As Alix entered the chamber, a gigantic iron golem animated in the corner of the room. In a booming voice, it warned the Defenders to flee or face their deaths. Though severely hindered, the group managed to assemble and begin the attack upon the golem, sneaking peeks around their blindfolds. Another voice was added to the cacophony of battle. The Ruby of Cascara, an ancient, intelligent gem, had been placed within the chest of the golem for safekeeping. It plainly wished to be rescued, and bombarded the party with mental sendings.

Several party members were badly wounded, and many near misses occurred as the golem hurled its assailants toward the Prismatic Sphere. Its iron shell shook off spells and missiles alike. Tao hacked away with abandon at the golem’s left knee, although she was smacked away several times.

Arcade planned a coordinated attack with Tomtom and Tao through their Mindlink. Tao redoubled her efforts, severed the leg, and leaped away. Arcade then cast Grease in front of the golem as Tomtom hit it from behind with his Blast Scepter. The golem slid forward and fell to its knees . . . directly into the Sphere. The shimmering shells cleaved the construct in twain, and it stopped moving. Sadly, the Ruby of Cascara was destroyed in its transit through the Sphere.

But had some portion of the golem fallen through? If so, Mirata would be warned and ready.

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- Enter Academy of Flamecraft by placing lit torch against wall. Teleport to center bridge, somewhat broken, spanning a huge central pit. Derro (and flying cats) emerge from the pit. fight derro, using the wand of conjuration to cleverly place prismatic walls. Explore academy; the place has clearly been trashed by an angry red dragon. Find a library where a cleric was sealed in for decades by molten stone, able to create food and water but not to escape. Read fascinating equations; Glimmer is drained by the cleric's undead form when he gets greedy and doesn't show respect.

- Explore more. In one fight, Cadrienne (ie Mirata) surreptitiously casts a magic missile to kill something; Arcade is unclear how come he cast magic missile and eight missiles appear! Find a staff of the elements and completely ignore it. Explore classrooms, etc, including an illusion-cloaked testing gauntlet for new students. Find Mirata's bedroom, complete with iron golem servitor. Follow an "endless" hallway through the plane of fire to find what will eventually become the mirror room. "Cadrienne" reattunes herself to the mirror. Find a destroyed wall leading to the underdark, where the red dragon that destroyed the academy the first time went. Leave.

- Cadrienne leaves. Sialia gloats. Party panics. Dylrath assigned to Alix as a punishment.

- Everyone heads back to the Academy, trying to catch Mirata/Cadrienne before she's finished preparing spells. Fight formorian giant; in Dylrath's first combat, with his first swing, he crits. Find Mirata. Much business with prismatic sphere, iron golem, intelligent ruby known as the Cascara. Destroy Mirata, rescue Cadrienne, Dylrath attunes himself to the mirror before Alix has a chance to.