I was free of the grasp of the Illithid, and our party was protected as well. There was no time to lose since we did not know how long the spell would last.

Soon enough we found our way to the Illithid lair. Our scouts returned with dire news. Many innocents were under their control and guarding the entrance to their quarters. Apparently the Mind Shield scroll only protected those nearby when it was cast.

We made the hard decision to cut them down. With any luck, our healers would be able to save them if we destroyed the fell thing controlling their minds. If not, well, they would have died for a good cause.

We fell upon those we called friend only hours before. The odds were in our favor until a minotaur appeared from a hidden cavern and flanked us. Some of our fighters quailed at the sight of it, but we managed to rally. The healers kept us alive long enough to slay the beast, while the mangled bodies of our friends still attempted to reach for their blades, even while mortally wounded. A disturbing sight to be sure.

We entered the lair to find not one, but three illithids! Now impotent in the presence of the power of the scroll, they cowered before us. Also among them was a large brain with tentacles floating in a pool of slime. Could this be an Elder Brain? I had heard tales of these, they were supposed to amplify the psionic powers of the Illithid. If there were three flayers and a brain, this was a full on invasion.

We took the advantage and slaughtered them all before our spell winked out. In the aftermath, Rowan the Seer spotted something floating in the brine pool. Before I could stop him, he reached in and pulled out a leather bound book. I quickly confiscated the tome, unsure who to trust in this world. We headed back to the exit portal, which dissipated after we were outside.

The Great Black Lion Tharros, Whose Name Means Courage fed well that day. I do believe that the Path of the Lion has led me to Osterra, and to the Everwar. War is work to a Tharrosian, and there is work to be done.

After a preliminary study, the tome turned out to be a book of Arcane Spells. I am glad I had the insight to take it, as it is much too dangerous for those under the sway of malevolent forces. I shall seek the assistance of Laya and the Acolytes in reading the runes at our next meeting. There seem to be pages missing from the tome, but even the spells remaining shall increase your arsenal of arcana for use in the coming struggles.

For Osterra!

Tharros Hungers!