Why does this stone talk? And why does it want to eat me?

Sarenith 27, 4712, continued

Landing at the bottom of the last level of the Spire, the Coopers suddenly realize that two of their numbers are missing. Both Thorne and Omok must have accidentally hit the Spire with travel tokens on their way down and disappeared back to the surface! The rest of them immediately find themselves surrounded by the root of the Emerald Spire, stretching in all direction. They barely have time to examine their surroundings before they hear otherworldly screams. Two towering menaces climb over the roots on either side of the base of the Spire and close in.

Upon seeing this threat, Olifrit hides behind Kazmauk and covers herself with his cloak. Unfortunately Kazmauk immediately leaves his spot and charges the Gug on the left side, landing a successful blow. Darelle uses the lichen and other mosses present on the floor to entangle the right side Gug, managing to stop it in its tracks as it struggles to break free. Daryle loosen arrow upon arrow. Kazmauk lands two great blows against his opponent but ends up caught in the entanglement. Olifrit casts deep slumber on one of the Gug. It appears to work for a moment, but it shakes it off. Kazmauk continues to land blows and finally manages to slay his opponent before turning his anger on the remaining one. Olifrit taunts the last Gug with rude gestures. While entangled the Gug cannot move, but his long arms still reach and rend both Darelle and Kazmauk, before Darelle uses her wand of magic missile and kills it.

Taking a breather, the Coopers heal themselves. They debate whether they should return to Fort Inevitable to rearm and re-equip with healing potions and other magical items, but in the end they decide to continue exploring the level, at least for now. Darelle and Daryle climb one of the roots, and finally see the rest of this large room. They notice a door in the southwest wall, as well as a root that crosses a river of lava onto another section of the cave. Kazmauk heads towards the door at the southwest corner.

Darelle makes her way across the rift and discovers a large pillar of stone. Though it doesn't have a mouth, the pillar begins to talk in an incomprehensible language, but thanks to a nifty magical item Darelle is able to understand it. Daryle merely shakes her head but observes the conversation from afar, her bow at the read. The creature identifies itself as Oorivoon, a philosopher and a guard. The two of them have a very productive conversation about life and the soul. The ranger questions Oorivoon about its purpose here. It replies that it was appointed as guardian to this room. It further explains to Darelle that a Vault Keeper dwells here, but that unfathomably powerful creature has gone insane in the eons that it has hidden at the base of the Spire, and it has not come to talk to Oorivoon in many centuries. When Darelle asks what the Vault Builders are, Oorivoon shares his knowledge of them and their roles as primordial beings. Oorivoon then explains that it is particularly hungry, and insists on eating Darelle. The ranger is caught off guard, but Daryle, who had remained behind, comes to her rescue. In the resulting altercation, Darelle proposes to Oorivoon some of the Gug meat to satiate its hunger, and Ooviroon readily agrees.

Meanwhile, Kazmauk enters what appears to be a very large alchemical laboratory. He quickly discovers that it is occupied by three vivisectionist Ropers, who are clearly intent on adding the dwarf to their collections of body parts. Kazmauk attempts to fight them off, but they prove too powerful for him, so he flees the room, but not before noticing there are several body parts of opponents the Coopers have encountered throughout their trip within the Spire, including the two mechanical legs that once belonged to Klarkosh, and the hideous head of the Mistress of Thornes.

Back in the main room, Kazmauk deals some damage to the Ropers, but they are vicious creatures and drive him back. While Daryle and Darelle find themselves chopping off pieces of the Gugs, Kazmauk crosses the path over the lava and hides behind the stone pillar known to the other Coopers as Oorivoon. Closely followed by the Ropers, Kazmauk strikes a powerful blow, and then is surprised to see two of the Ropers tangle with Oorivoon, who quickly devours one of them.

Hearing the commotion, the Coopers return to the area carrying piles of meat, and join the fray. Olifrit attempts to slap and headbutt the Roper, but misses. Daryle launches several arrows. One of the Ropers becomes invisible and ambushes the sisters from behind. Eventually, the Coopers are able to successfully conclude the battle, but they now realize that they are hopelessly outclassed without both more magical healing and items and the rest of their party. They decide to immediately transport back to the Splinterden level and trek back to Fort Inevitable before returning to the Spire for one last (one hopes) glorious mission!