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GELATINOUS CUBE: (Monster Manual p.43) The Gelatinous Cube is one of the scavengers not uncommon in dungeons. Its cubic form is ideal for cleaning all living organisms, as well as carrion, from the floor and walls of underground passageways. Certain very large Cubes are taller so as to be able to garner mosses and the like from ceilings as well.
The Rangers led the way, though it was not too difficult to pick up a relatively fresh trail made by over seventy five beings. After two hours the party stopped to catch their breathe when they were met by several ogres and bugbears. vwulfgqouweyf , one bugbear said. Rollik responded in orcish, We are searching for Meronale. What is your business and from whence do you hail? We are from Port Elizabeth. However, we landed is Calimere and our search for the Sandman led us to a man named Severan. He told us to seek Meronale. Very well. The bugbear asked the party to select two representatives who would gain an audience with Meronale. Oberon and Rollik were escorted away, leaving Losloris, Random and Wulf under the guard of the remaining ogres. O & R were taken to the foot of a great big tree, one of several in that immediate area.
At the doorway they met with more bugbears. In the distance could be seen various slave groups (mostly men and elves) being worked by more bugbears. Oberon and Rollik were told to leave their weapons at the door and enter. Inside the tree they were met by a very dark skinned elf (a Drow) Talien by name. He led them further inside to a room where the basic interrogation proceeded. We need to know three things , said the party. has there been any supra-natural activity in this vicinity recently (re: Allsterkr and Malgeron)? Do you have any information about the Sandman? Do you know what became of our two companions? Within twenty minutes Talien returned. We can answer your questions but for a price. 2000 crowned florins per answer plus two weeks o service from you and your mates.
Fine. All of this went down in a very cut and dry, strictly business type of environment. the party convened and agreed to the terms, particularly since both Rollik and Oberon felt an inherent legitimacy to the affair that the knowledge gained would be worthwhile. They all returned to the tree and this time were led further up the tree to meet with Meronale. He appeared to be quite well off (financially), perhaps of equal standing with the party (high medium level). together, they went over the terms and everyone swore on their honour to the contract.
Gelatinous Cubes are nearly transparent and are difficult to see. As these monsters travel about they sweep up metallic and other items which are indigestible to them. This includes treasure as well as potions, daggers, and similar items. Such material will remain in the body of a Gelatinous Cube for several weeks before being cast out.
The following morn the PCs were led by Winkly (a Drow) to a mine shaft and in, going down quite steeply for a long period of time. After passing two other cavern entrances they all arrived at the opening for cavern G-4, a place where something unknown and unidentified had attacked the Drow, cutting their mining abilities short. The party s first task in their two weeks of service was to clean out this cavern. One of the guards on duty eyed the party with disdain yet mentioned how this cavern appeared to be already cut out when the Drow first arrived an was inhabited but an unknown race of orcs black and fiery they were. And, there was some type of winged demon that could let loose a blast of energy that burned the Drom on contact. For the last few days, said the guard, all had been ominously quiet. We think they are building up for another assault. The party decided to send in Random and Wulf to invisibly scout about.
Armed with their natural abilities (Wulf, elf & Random, half-elf) the two investigators were able to detect heat sources via infra-vision. Of course, infra-vision does not mean one could actually see in the dark. Further, the pair were sent on a mission of stealth and thus had to do with a torch or other light source; their going was slow. Down a passage, around a bend, along another passage into a deeper darkness. Out of nowhere the PCs were attacked by two zombies (undead monsters do not radiate heat). Although the battle was quick and easy for the adventurers it did cost the both their invisibility. they returned to the party and received the last of Oberon s second level spells. Again, they set out and this time were quite successful in mapping out large sections on the cavern, and this cavern was large indeed. After going along a fair distance, they decided to double back to check out the other side. As Wulf and Random neared their initial entry point they could see a heat source coming towards them. With three quick arrows Wuylf slew the beast. . . what turned out to be a black orc amid a strange white goo. Wulf s use of the arrows made him invisible again. This time, Random produced some of his much cherished dust of disappearance which could guarantee longer invisibility, even through combat. With renewed confidence, Wulf and random explored deeper into the darkness towards two points of light they had seen way in the distance.
If a Gelatinous Cube hits and opponent, a saving throw versus paralyzation must be made, or the creature touched is anaesthetised for 5-20 melee rounds. The cube then surrounds the victim, secretes digestive fluids, and digests a meal.
Wulf and Random tried to avoid a wall (?) on their left where beings were making noise. they crossed more into the open area of the open cavern. Ahead, through the darkness, they could see the approach of another heat form . . slowly, but certainly getting closer. Two volleys of arrows were tried, but Wulf s aim was not true. As the form got quite close Random felt a sting from contacting a rubbery substance and took a swipe with his sword. Wulf was busy pulling out more arrows when he felt himself pushed by this rubber wall. And the heat source seemed to remain five feet away! Both jumped back away from this encroaching entity. They lost the next initiative and again felt this rubbery substance against their flesh. The sensation was both alarming yet very calming. Random felt a warm rush of sleep envelop him and dropped his sword, motionless in the darkness. Wulf, too, felt a second sting. He dropped his bow and backed off while pulling out his sword. On the next initiative a very confused Wulf opted to lung forward to close the distance to the heat source and take a stab at it. He jumped into the equivalent of a walking bowl of jello and was gone. Thus did both Random and Wulf meet their end at the hands of a Gelatinous Cube.