In the meantime, Jenny and the sluagh lore keeper Basil Phineas found out some more information on the mysterious soul-stealer they were tracking. When Jenny was able to contact Erendil through the magic earring set, she found out that a rather terrifying figure that matched the description of this soul-stealer was observed in Moria. Erendil and Edward observed him apparently leaving Moria by an unknown back entrance then returning later in the night. They tracked him to the anthropophagi pit, which he entered with no interference by the piranha-like monsters.
Phineas found a book that contains several references to this soul-stealing being. He discovered that he is vulnerable to attack when he is in his lair. He also found a story that appears to be connected. Apparently, many centuries ago, an unseelie sluagh wizard offended the Fomori (ancient enemies of the fae) and was cursed to wander the earth until he was able to sacrifice nine sidhe lords according to a complex ritual. They also determined that the final sacrifice was slated to happen that night. As the ritual required that last sacrifice had to take place in his lair, it looked as though time was running out. Jenny also realized that the only sidhe currently in Moria was Erendil, making him a likely sacrifice.
Speaking of Erendil, he was busy "entertaining" the ogre hag Black Annis in her bedroom. A small application of the proper cantrip enabled him to move unnoticed through her quarters after she had fallen into a drowsy state. He found what appeared to be a secret treasure trove. He called Edward to come and help him determine how to destroy the cache of cold iron weapons he discovered. Edward reached into his backpack and pulled out a bottle of Acme Red Hot Thai/Mexican/Jamaican Hot Sauce and sprinkled it over the weapons. It melted them into a pile of slag. Edward and Erendil also found a few interesting items they appropriated for themselves, including Tormentil’s mirror. Erendil determined that the room contained a secret door of some sort, possibly leading to a trod.
After leaving the still-fugued Annis’ chambers, Erendil and Edward picked up Toby and Giselle and went to search for more possible entrances and exits. They found a major trod in the unused area of the caverns, but it was well warded and none of them. not even Giselle could break through. As their attention was taken up by the trod, several ogres, including the one Erendil had identified as Annis’ "main squeeze", discovered them. A fight ensued. Erendil used a Grandeur cantrip to intimidate the ogres, which actually worked although Erendil is a heck of a lot less intimidating than the average ogre.
Edward used a "Gimmix" cantrip to animate a wrench and used it to
hit the ogres. Giselle was fought them with her razor-sharp hooves but
was wounded fairly seriously. Toby spit some of the Acme hot sauce at them,
which burned them but note the redcap Toby. They succeeded in defeating
the orges, but now realize that their time is running out. This is where
we end.
