Recollections by Ci
The Book of the Mountain says "Never interrupt an enemy when he is making a mistake." We unfortunately did just that last night while setting a trap for the Drow Hune. Rather than trust to our plan and let him walk into our ambush, we revealed ourselves early and were forced to fight on ground not of our choosing. Hune utilized a spider to scout ahead, and Tallulah was discovered outside the cave where we had set our trap. We were forced to fight him on the Hillock outside. The battle was brief but intense, with Hune throwing devastating Magic and summoning a creature from the Underdark. Tallulah and her wolf companion were both hit. I was struck by fiendish fire every time my arrows or my blade pierced Hune's flesh. It was Hune's death, however, that unleashed his most dangerous magic.
With our entire party focused on defeating Hune, he finally fell to our attacks. With his dying breath he spit one final curse, and his body was consumed by flames which then erupted outwards to engulf us all. I seemed to have particularly drawn his ire, and was twice burned by the otherworldly flames. Indeed, if not for the help of my companions, I would have gone early to walk the paths of the life beyond this one. I was revived by Loco and his magic projectiles, and as we gathered ourselves to face our remaining foe, the imposing Draegloth, we were again surprised. The creature did not attack again, and instead sued for peace! Grandmaster Poe's words echoed in my head as we listened to the Draegloth's proposal, "No life is insignificant. If we have the wisdom to learn, all may teach us their virtues." I could not see the virtue in this creature, but in honor of the Grandmaster and in deference to my companions wishes, I agreed to let the creature go. It is my hope that some peaceful solution may be found to the chaos of these incursions from the Underdark, but I wonder if these creatures truly know or value peace. As the Book says, "While I breathe, I hope, but while I hope, I prepare."
Finally, a personal note for Jeroy... I am afraid there wasn't enough left of Hune to put on a spike. We did bring you back a bottle of what little was left of him to set on your mantle. May you spend many happy hours contemplating the horrible way he died!