The Gaming Den

Gilles nods calmly in response to the workman. "Do you happen to know where they came across these gnomes?"

"Caught 'em trying to nick the whisky."

"Fair play. I've changed my mind. Good work men."

Atani will make sure to nab the flaming sword back from Tim and he'll head over to talk to the Snake. If it's still there I will offer it an Elixir of Bros and inquire about the Flaming sword I hold.

And with the dark cult...well, sorted out for the moment, the Union really does have a very good health plan...your adventure here in the lost tomb is at an end; all the evil that is going to get vanquished has been, and you begin to direct the workmen to strip the tomb of its treasures and valuable metals, so that they may be hauled back before the king (minus a generous commission) so that they may breath new life into the tired economy. You look forward to the challenge ahead, that of escorting this precious wealth unmolested back through the wilderness to the capital...but that is another adventure.

What happens to your brave adventurers, now that they have succeeded in their quest?

Flintbeard, intrigued with the multi layered history of the ruins pursues further study of the site and seeks out other such ancient sites to study. Though he implicit in grave looting Flintbeard does what he can to make sure the artifacts and precious things they run off with are understood as best as they can.

Other than that he seeks out information on the gnomish threat (if their tunneling machine is not well known or Flintbeard and company are the first to witness it, Flintbeard will investigate more into it) and how to best defeat them.

Xaxus will oversee the safe transport of the cursed statue so that its heretical magic can be broken at the first chance possible. Also the workers, so that they can be rescued from the curse.

Gilles will turn in the potion to his employer, and bring the ancient scrolls of the Sea Mother to the elders in the Underdark. Once he has done this, he will sacrifice (ideally some gnomes) to Blibdoolpoolp, sure that all that has transpired was due to her will...and meditate on the content of the scrolls and what he has learned from the former temple he has just survived, hoping to receive further visions and/or divine inspiration from his goddess.

Tim neglects to remove the tracer tag from his ear; in time he is taken by the strange masked figures and recruited for their breeding program. He never tries to escape.

Oh, yes, if Xaxus has a potion for the snake he'll see what the snake gives to Gilles, and if it's cool he'll also try to get a thing.

If not, he'll keep the potion for later experimentation and investigation.

The elder serpent accepts the Elixir of Bros (actually an elixir of cola) and scuttles off the grave of the hero-saint, since the tomb is now pretty much cleared of evil. Besides the bones of the saint, the tomb contains his sword-stick (equivalent to a sword +5, holy avenger).

Since there isn't a second sword to be had, Xaxus will drink the cola. In doing so, the wind will blow in his long silver hair and he'll turn majestically to the camera that no one else can see and smile with a thumbs up.

What's funny is that the sword-stick isn't any better in Gilles' hands than his shortsword is (and it might be worse depending on the specific type of sword it counts as). But Gilles will not resist the chance to ensure that the weapon that has been used against his fellow Whips does not fall into the hands of good again.

Gilles would give it to Xaxus if he wanted, since he figures his fellow evil priest isn't going to arm the forces of Good any time soon. He'd also give it to Atani, however reluctantly--he's come to respect the Wood Elf, despite their peoples' rivalry. (Ultimately he figures that each of them should get one of the three magic weapons: the +2 shortsword, the Rod of Lordly Might, and the Holy Avenger stick, and he doesn't mind being the one to keep the shortsword.)

Regardless, Gilles will offer an Elixir of Bros to the Sea Mother, since it is the most precious consumable he can find. (This is in addition to any gnomes that Gilles can find.) If there are any Elixirs left over, Gilles will toast to the dark gods with Xaxus, and laugh with him as the episode ends.

Xaxus will pick the Rod over the sword, since he also doesn't know how to use a sword.

Atani gladly accepts the Holy weapon from Gilles with heartfelt pride and honor. Between his Holy Avenger, golden Mithril Armor and his Ring of Holiness he now sees the adventurer he wished to become when he glances in the pools collecting on the tomb's floor.

Atani will adventure with the rest of his companions hereafter, aiding them on whatever quest they set themselves to. He will spend any amount of his prodigious new fortune on magical means to communicate with his new friends and be at their side as they find even greater fortune. He will investigate Gnomes with Flintbeard, do battle for the Sea Mother's glory with Gilles, and clear out ancient tombs with Xaxus. In time they will all become adventurers of legend, no doubt.