Session 19

Heroes: Alric, Sinhim, Zimridge

The Heroes hurry to the drow enclave, where they meet a friendy dark elf calling himself "Zilch"; he tries to help them in their search for Flink, but without much success. As they're about to leave, a screaming, terryfied Flink comes out of hiding, running to them for protection. He explains to the Heroes that he fears for his life, though it is soon clear that he's also affected by some sort of madness. To make matters worse, he reveals that the gem once entrusted to him by Yantha has been stolen by a gargoyle.

As they try to get more information out of Flink, they realize that several items of considerable value have "disappeared" from their belongings. Their suspects quickly point to Zilch, who is surprised to be accused of such felony. Yet, he refuses to have his bag checked by the Heroes, and the situation quickly escalates, with Zimridge challenging the drow to a duel. Unfortunately for the gnome, Zilch is a mage of great power, and pellets the barbarian with lighting bolts until he's knocked unconscious. The Heroes leave the drow enclave, and Alric heals Zimridge just in time for their evening meeting with the Zhentarim.

When they arrive at the Zhentarim outpost, they notice a gargoyle surveying the entrance of the main pavillion. They try to provoke the creature to come down from its ledge, but in so doing they attract the attention of the half-dozen drow emissaries present in the pavillion. A few words from Zimridge are enough to start a fight. Leading the drow is a deadly female assassin, who stabs Alric to near death.

When things turn depserate, Gazhrim DuLoc makes his appearance, accompanied by the maimed beholder Lorthuun. The fight becomes even more chaotic. The gargoyle, apparently deeply in love with the female assassin, does his best to protect her. From her part, the assassin, also taken by some unexplained madness, focuses all her efforts in killing the beholder. But she's no match for the aberration, and soon her skin is peeled off her flesh and bones by the tyrnat eye magic. From her remains, a dark gem falls to the ground.

Sinhim orders one of his men to take the gem. When the thug does as ordered, a glint of madness begins to shine in his eyes...