The party continues it's exploration of the necromancers den, soon realizing that the place is devoted to a demon lord known as Orcus. This takes a back seat to the vigorous stabbing of the Mad Necromancer with the worms behind his eyes. Fortunately, his insanity seemed to be only temporarily infectious, and it's not like Dar-Wynn will be slowly driven to gibbering madness by the visions she was exposed to or anything. That would be cray-cray.
The party continued to explore the ruined temple, eventually discovering, among other things, a Magic Statue that apparently uses incredibly powerful arcane energies to grant players a single level of experience. Assuming that the dangerous magics don't go wrong. Also found was an enormous, artificial stone spider, which guarded a vault. Not wanting to risk a direct confrontation with the creature, The party developed a plan to steal the treasure it was guarding and get out before it tore them apart. Somewhat surprisingly the plan worked, and now the party only has the last section of dungeon to go until they see daylight, and can return for their reward.
NPCs - Status
Kuluk - He and his conjurer servant currently owe the party one year
of loyal service, followed by 3 generations of non-aggression to the
PCs, refugees, and their families.
P.D. - The Ship Phyrric Destiny (referred to casually as "P.D.") and it's computer currently
answers to Captain Dar-Wynn, for as long as the good Captain does not
forsake her vows to the Conclave of Stars.
Michkaela of the Skeletal Hand - Currently owes you her life, though who knows if you'll ever see her again.
Tristan the Lawful - Currently trusts you enough to let you do bounty
work for the order. Doesn't seem to be a big fan of barbarians, generally, or the barbarians on the plateau, specifically.