Session Ninety-Five: Negotiating with Abductors

Once the group had healed enough, they pressed forward, determined to invade the living chamber of the dwarf-like creatures. The creatures expected the group to follow them, so they had evacuated all of the non-combatants, and prepared an ambush.
This time, the fight was more difficult, as one of the creatures was an elemental cleric and another was a preserver. Raco targeted the preserver first and knocked him unconscious. Seeing how fiercely Raco fought, the cleric used his elemental magic to freeze Raco in place. 
Samsun used his magic to charm one of the creatures, who tried to stop the other creatures from fighting Samsun. The fight progressed, with the group getting the upper hand. However, the group was badly injured and was uncertain of victory.
Cheet used the way to telepathically contact the dwarf-like creature who was a cleric. She told the priest that they did not want to keep fighting and that they were just looking for their friend. She proceeded to explain what Shada looked like.
The priest called out to the creatures to stop attacking and the fight ended. The priest admitted to Cheet that they had taken Shada. He said that Shada walked too close to the cliff face and they pulled him into the mountain. They took him to feed the mountains guardian. The mountain was scared to the creatures and the guardian protected it.

Cheet relayed the information to the group. Cheet, Dimitria, and Yusef believed that Shada might still be alive and wanted to continue searching for him. However, Kraah, Raco and Samsun thought the water drake eggs were more important and wanted to continue their journey. The group began to argue.
In the end, it was decided that if Kraah did not care about his follower, why should anyone else? So, Cheet turned back to the priest and told him that if the climbing gear was returned to them, the group would leave their sacred mountain. The priest agreed and told them that their equipment would be gathered and deposited on the plateau. The group turned and exited the caverns.
It was noon and the characters found some shade to lounge in, while they waited. Dimitria did not like abandoning Shada and made her opinion very clear. Cheet murmured agreement and Yusef would have done so too, but he was napping.
As the sun was an hour from setting, one of the dwarf-like creatures emerged from the mountain and unceremoniously dropped their climbing gear onto the ground. The group made sure everything was accounted for and it was. They then quickly started putting on their climbing harnesses.
Raco used spider climb to easily climb the cliff face. Kraah simply flew. They were able to anchor ropes into the outcroppings above. Climbing proved difficult for the two women, but with the help of Samsun and Raco, they were able to make it to the outcroppings.

The outcroppings were spread about fifteen to twenty-five apart. They group discussed how they would sleep up there, as the sun was beginning to touch the horizon. Samsun was so large, he would have an outcropping himself. Kraah and Cheet would share an outcropping and Yusef and Dimitria would share one. Raco, being a mul, did not need to sleep that night, so it was decided that he would stand and keep watch.
The group got out their blankets and prepared to sleep. Yusef piled some loose rocks between himself and the edge of the outcropping. After seeing Yusef put a barrier between himself and certain death, Cheet did the same. The ground was hard and cold, Yusef made sure to complain about it loudly.
The sun set and the night grew dark. Raco was surprised when he heard wailing from the plateau below.

Join us in two weeks for another exciting session of Adventures Under the Dark Sun. 
2nd edition AD&D Dark Sun Cast of Player Characters 
Dimitria: Human female druid. 20 years old. Played by Mary. Speaks Urikite, Raamin, and Tyrian.
Raco: Mul male psychometbolist. 20 years old. Played by Dave. Speaks Dwarf and Tyrian.
Samsun: Half-Giant water cleric/fighter. 37 years old. Played by Ben. Speaks Giant and Tyrian.
Kraah: Aarakocra air cleric.17 years old. Played by Chad. Speaks Aarakocra, Tyrian, Balician, and Gulgish.
Cheet: Human female preserver. 24 years old. Played by my wife. Speaks Drajish and Tyrian.
Yusef: Human male thief. 24 years old. NPC party member. Speaks Tyrian, Nibnese, and Urikite.