The purple worm who thought Gerald was delicious

Pharast 2, 4712

The Coopers and Omok rest following their difficult battle with the fire elementals. They are surprised with the double doors open, and in stroll Rowen, Gerald and Thorne. When Rowen and Thorne returned to Fort Inevitable yesterday to return the bolts of dragon slaying +10, they ran into Gerald, who had returned to the Fort after a few days pouting in the woods. He's now ready to return to the Spire, so they trek back in the cold snow to the Spire and arrive on the 11th level in time to reconnect with their siblings.

First, they quickly realize that the 10th level is empty. They discover the dragons' hoard, but all that is left are copper pieces and the odd semi-precious gem. They thus proceed down the steps, and emerge by the Spire on the 11th level. Rowen spots something odd by the foot of the Spire. A large steel chest appears to have been discarded right against the emerald pillar. Thorne attempts to open it, but is unable. Gerald examines the double doors. He discovers a small piece of fabric which belongs to his sister's pants, wedged under the left door. Clearly his sister and the rest of the party came through here recently. Rowen opens the doors, and they step in.

Meanwhile, the Coopers hear the sound of the doors open in the distance, and they ready for battle.  Gerald trips and falls in the hallway, cursing his bad luck. Daryle hears him, and rushes to open their door. but before she is able the main doors close. Roscoe, Darelle, Daryle, Gerald, Thorne, Rowen, and Omok are now together and stuck inside Yarrix until they defeat the denizens of this level.

After a heartfelt reunion, the members of the party argue about what to do next. Roscoe takes the initiative. Without waiting for his siblings, he opens the door and casts detect evil. He detects strong current of evil in the room, but the swirling blue mist partially obscures his view. He thinks he can see three foggy figures near the back of the room, but these figures stir and attack. Roscoe manages to alert the rest of the group, but he is tripped to the ground. Gerald rushes in, stands in the door frame, and uses his amazing new magical bow to launch arrows and magic missiles at the targets. Omok rushes in and pushes Gerald into the maws of one of the monsters, which look like giant worms with tiny arms. The worms are holding wands. As Gerald begins to be devoured by the purple worm, Daryle and Thorne launch arrows from the other room, while Darelle and Rowen step in and join the combat. Along with Roscoe, the Coopers and Company fight hard.

Gerald fails to protect himself, becomes unconscious and is eventually swallowed whole by the monster. The Coopers take severe injuries but eventually triumph over these abominations. Darelle cuts Gerald out of the worm, and several rounds of healing bring him back to life. In the meantime, however, Thorne steals Gerald's transport token and Daryle takes his new magical bow.

After a rest, the party decides to head in the opposite direction. They enter a room filled with eight statues. Each of the statues hold a different object, and two of them seem to have had their heads chopped off by another statue, holding a sword in a striking position.

Omok comprehend languages, and discern that this room somehow dealt with the Shadowed Fires. The Coopers are concerned that the statues are alive, and they take precautionary actions. They spread out and get ready to strike. Gerald casts magic missile at one of the statue, and he destroys its face. Suddenly their prediction comes true, and two of the statues animate and attack. The combat is brutal but brief, and the Coopers and their allies come out ahead. They loot the magical objects.

Omok gets the orb of command. Gerald acquires a wand of resurrection with four charges. Thorne grabs the scepter of merciful reprieve. Rowen takes the staff of life, which fully heals everyone in a room 60 minutes after being activated, and can destroy a significant number of undead in one combat per day. Daryle obtains the amulet of natural armor +4, while Darelle seizes the Scroll of spells. She also gets Gerald to identify her tree token identified. Roscoe takes the Sword of Savith.

After all this excitement, Rowen uses the scepter to create an extra-dimensional fortress, and the party retires there to rest. Gerald realizes that he does not have his bow, so he leaves the fortress and returns to the room of the worms. He searches for a time, but does not find his bow. Saddened, he returns to the room, but can't regain entry into the fortress. He is left alone, in the room ...