And relax....

Nitendae glances up from where he is fastidiously trying to get the blood out of his leather armour, his own blood; which makes it even more annoying, as Bastien heads off to a shallow pool.
The relief amoungst the group is easy to see; Bastien off to repair and clean his armour, Demitasse sitting calmly praying, Marlon and Sereena quietly chatting. Even though the boybarian Volken wasn't in sight he must be feeling the same sense of relief.
He'd gone over to chat to Marlon and Sereena earlier, the large warrior easily pleased with a sincere thanks. The more cynical Sereena charmed as they discussed the merits of the gems they'd looted.
Nite' was impressed with the growing abilities of the young sorceress, her talents complimenting his and aiding the group immensely. Although he still felt an emptiness, he was glad that Cogitari had found a new bond with Sereena.
Nite' is amazed that they seemed to have accomplished their goal, the skull has been destroyed and they have all escaped intact. The biggest worry now was how much the orcs would find out, it was a shame that they had to kill the super elite orcs but the skull was too important to leave intact.
Nitendae was looking forward to a boring ride home to the Hole in the Wall and a few days peace before they were called on, once again, to save the day.

Back to Black

“What kind of fuckery is this?”

Whinhose charges back along the pitch black tunnel with the other warrior elites, panic thundering in his heart. 

The adventures had tricked them!

He had semi-trusted them and in return they had lied!

Were the other orc warriors they left in the skull cave-in cavern still alive?

Was the dragon skull still in one piece?

Would his remaining fourteen axe brother, orc warriors be enough to exact revenge?

The tunnel finally opens out into the brightly lit cavern. 

Thereanthor’s huge skull is intact but down on the floor and standing atop it is the big, bearded, armoured human they called Marlon, Dwarven war-hammer in hand.

Wait… Not just big. Massive!

He’s somehow grown to the size of an ogre!

Scattered around the, still intact, skull, lie the dead bodies of all his orc comrades: The warrior elites. The sworn guardians of the skull, their axes still in their hands.

Slaughtered by the humans!

Betrayed!

They’d left two of the adventurers; the human witch and Elven trickster miles back in the tunnel. They could be dealt with later. 

Of the others; one of the Clerics is standing far back near the opposite, rubble strewn wall. while the other, armoured one and the young Barbarian are somehow floating high above them in the air. The weird stick golem is nowhere to be seen.

“Death to the humans!” Whinhose finds himself roaring as they all surge forward.

Suddenly and unexpectedly, the massive human raises his War-hammer, in both hands, high above his head, and swings it down directly onto the skull.

Lightning erupts from the skull, engulfing the giant human and sending arcs of electricity into all within thirty feet.

The pain is incredible!

Still, they have sworn to protect the skull. A blood vow to Obdurate; chief amongst chiefs. 

Despite their burns and squinting through the flare, they rush forward to, what they now all know to be, certain death.

After both battles are done, the party search the thirty-odd orc bodies. Their equipment is of good quality but not valuable enough to warrant keeping. Some do have some unused potions and all have coin purses.

15 Potions of Bull’s strength

Money: 271gp, 367sp, 693cp

Plus the magical equipment you gave them from the Death-worshippers etc.

A suit of Leather armour
2 x Two-handed Scythes

A suit of Studded Leather armour

4 x Two-handed Miner's Picks

Reflections

Finally free from the cloying stench of the dung pits and with relative safety in sight, Bastien felt comfortable enough to relax for a few moments.

He carefully unclasped the leather straps that held his armour firm and placed it carefully on the ground beside the pool he'd found in the fast moving stream. His plate had picked up a few dents and scratches in the caves but had held up well overall. A sturdy and trusted partner. Picking up handfuls of coarse sand, Bastien scraped off the worst of the sewer muck and wiped the sections dry using some large leaves he'd found further upstream.

Then it was time for himself. Jumping in the freezing pool shocked him out of his daydream but he lasted long enough to scrub himself until the stink seemed to be mostly gone. Clambering out he wrapped himself in a blanket and gazed thoughtfully at his reflection in the now still pool.

He needed a shave and a haircut - an easy fix at the next town - but he looked gaunt, and the bags under his eyes spoke volumes to his fatigue. He knew his friends needed a rest as much as he did, especially Marlon who had given so much of himself in their recent dealings with the Nerull worshippers and grey cloaks. Bastien was pleased they had thwarted the evil doers plans, but knew they would only regather their strength for some other nefarious aim. They had to be stopped once and for all.

With a rye smile, he acknowledged the niggling doubt that their escape had been too easy. What - or who - had been waiting for them down the other tunnels? He shuddered at the thought.

Suddenly another thought interrupted his reverie, appearing from who knows where. Looking down at his fingernails, Bastien wondered...

Had he remembered to wash his hands?

Akkbar's Revenge Experience

Although you missed/avoided Akkbar, the Party played smart, succeeded in their mission and destroyed Thereanthor's skull. With victories, clever tactic rewards and mission completion bonuses, Everyone climbed another level.
Double figure levels for Bastien, Nitendae and Volkon!
:)

Bastien: 51,480 (Level:10)

Volkon: 53,401 (Level:10)

Nitendae: 52,931 (Level:10)

Marlon: 23,532 (Level:7)

Demitasse: 22,698 (Level:7)

Sereena: 23,832 (Level:7)